Summary of this article
1,511 colonies eligible for property registration
SWAGAM portal enables digital, simplified process
Legal ownership unlocks loans and civic services
Unauthorised colonies in Delhi are set to undergo property registration to overcome the city’s long-standing housing and planning challenges. As of April 24, 2026, residents of these colonies can now formally register their properties online and can avail themselves of the same legal safety as other homeowners via a joint initiative.
This initiative is led by the central government in coordination with the Delhi Development Authority under the Pradhan Mantri – Unauthorised Colonies in Delhi Awas Adhikar Yojana (PM-UDAY) scheme. Property registration is facilitated through the dedicated SWAGAM portal.
The initiative aims to bring legal clarity and economic upliftment to those residing in unauthorised colonies. For ages, these unauthorised colonies in Delhi have been in the grey zone and have operated similarly. These are properties that were built without any formal approval; they were then transferred based on informal documentation, such as a General Power of Attorney (GPA), and the residents lacked the actual autonomous ownership rights.
The reform is significant as it seeks to cover 1,511 unauthorised colonies and bring them under legal recognition. The reform benefits nearly 4.5-5 million residents and nearly 10 lakh households, according to a report by The Times of India. These colonies will be registered on an “as is, where is” criterion, where the existing structures are accepted in their current form without any changes.
One of the main changes in the registration process is the simplification of it. Earlier, the residents faced challenges while getting hold of approved layout plans, which are often not provided in these types of colonies, leading to confusion and delays in the registration process. The revision aims to remove the requirement entirely, which allows the residents to get their property registered with simple ownership documents.
Secondly, now, the process is being made digital. This reduces the need for in-person visits to the registrar and authority offices and makes the process paperless and faceless, which enhances efficiency and reduces corruption. This also improves transparency in the system.
For homeowners, this move ensures that they have access to essential amenities such as water supply, sewage systems, roads and access to electricity. Access to these services have always been an issue in such colonies, leading to inadequate living conditions and hindering the overall development of the community. The development can also help the residents in getting a loan against property, by bringing them under legal recognition.
