In a major policy shift aimed at curbing land-related fraud, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to make Aadhaar-based authentication mandatory for property registration from February 1. Under the new system, biometric verification of buyers, sellers and witnesses will be compulsory at the time of registration, marking a significant tightening of safeguards in land transactions across the State.
The decision was conveyed through official instructions issued to all registration offices, outlining the implementation of Aadhaar-linked biometric checks under the Uttar Pradesh Online Document Registration Rules, 2024. Officials said the move is intended to eliminate impersonation, forged identities and fraudulent land sales, which have remained a persistent concern in property dealings.
Under the revised process, Aadhaar-based e-signatures will be the only legally recognised form of authentication for property registration. All transaction details will first be uploaded online through designated software. On the day of registration, fingerprints of the parties involved — including sellers, purchasers and witnesses — will be matched directly with the Aadhaar database in real time.
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If the biometric details do not match Aadhaar records, the system will immediately flag the discrepancy, preventing the registration from proceeding. Following successful biometric verification, photographs of all parties will be captured and uploaded instantly to the official portal, creating a permanent digital trail linked to the transaction.
Officials said that until now, verification during property registration relied largely on documents produced by buyers, sellers and witnesses, with limited scope for real-time identity authentication. This gap, they said, was frequently exploited for fraudulent registrations using forged papers or proxy individuals. Linking Aadhaar to the process is expected to significantly reduce such instances.
The policy change comes amid broader civic developments in Lucknow that are likely to impact residents’ expenses. After nearly five months, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation convened a meeting of its council, during which several decisions were taken that will increase the financial burden on the public.
During the meeting, which witnessed repeated disruptions and adjournments due to protests by councillors, the civic body approved an increase in licence fees for nursing homes, hospitals, pathology centres, restaurants and cafés. As a result, the cost of private healthcare services and dining out in the city is expected to rise in the coming months.
Officials indicated that higher licence fees are likely to be passed on to consumers, making medical treatment at private hospitals and food services more expensive. The decisions were finalised after prolonged deliberations that stretched late into the evening.
The introduction of Aadhaar authentication for land registration is being viewed as part of a wider push towards digitisation and transparency in governance. By integrating biometric verification, authorities aim to ensure that property ownership records accurately reflect the identities of those involved, reducing disputes and litigation arising from fraudulent transfers.
However, the move has also sparked discussions around accessibility and preparedness. Legal experts note that seamless implementation will depend on the reliability of biometric infrastructure, Aadhaar database connectivity and adequate training of registration staff. Any technical failures, they warn, could lead to delays and inconvenience for genuine applicants.
Officials, however, maintained that the system has been tested and that necessary support mechanisms will be in place at registration offices to facilitate the transition. Public awareness campaigns are also expected to be rolled out to inform citizens about the new requirements before they come into effect.
As Uttar Pradesh prepares to enforce stricter identity checks in property transactions, the policy marks a decisive step towards tightening oversight in a sector long vulnerable to fraud. At the same time, rising civic charges in the State capital underscore the growing cost pressures facing urban residents.
Together, the developments reflect a governance approach that combines enhanced regulation with revenue measures — a balance that will be closely watched for its impact on transparency, efficiency and everyday affordability.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
