Policy Update
Chetan Gupta
Introduction
“The soul of India lives in its villages” – Mahatma Gandhi.
This firm quote by Mahatma Gandhi emphasises the crucial role of rural areas in a nation’s identity and development. It highlights that actual progress for India can only be achieved by uplifting its rural population and recognising its inherent value.
Background
The visionary scheme for rural India, SVAMITVA, was launched on 24 April 2021 (also National Panchayati Raj Day). Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas). It is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj that was launched after the successful completion of the scheme’s pilot phase (2020-2021) in 9 states. It provides legal ownership of rural residential land using drone-based surveys. It aims to empower rural citizens with property cards by documenting a ‘Record of Rights’, enabling bank loans, monetising properties, reducing property-related disputes, and facilitating comprehensive village-level planning. Phases of the Scheme are:-
- Phase I – Pilot Scheme (April 2020 – March 2021)
- Phase Il (April 2021 – march 2025) – Complete survey of all villages across the country. Although it has been extended until FY 2025-26.
The scheme is implemented with the collaborative efforts of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, State Revenue Department, State Panchayati Raj Department and Survey of India. It seeks to achieve Gram Swaraj in the true sense and make rural India Atmanirbhar. Till April 2025, approximately 2.42 crore property cards have been created for 1.61 lakh villages under the Scheme and Drone surveys were completed in 3.20 lakh villages, covering 68,122 sq. km of the area.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (2025)
The SVAMITVA Scheme is implemented by the Survey of India (SoI) with the National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) as the technology collaborator. The CORS (Continuously Operating Reference Station) technology is used for comprehensive mapping. It’s a permanently located network of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) receivers that continuously collect data, such as GPS (Global Positioning System). CORS network can produce high-resolution maps swiftly and accurately, revolutionising the process of rural land demarcation.
Objectives of the Scheme
- Creation of accurate land records for rural planning and reducing property-related disputes.
- To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
- Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the Gram Panchayats (GP) directly in States where it is devolved or else added to the State exchequer.
- Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.
- To support the preparation of a better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.
Functioning
Initially, the scheme was started via the pilot phase. After initial success, it was implemented nationwide. The functioning and implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme involve a multi-stage process, which begins with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Survey of India (SoI) and respective states. So far, 31 states/Union Territories (UTs) have signed the MoU with SoI. After the MoU signing, a Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) is established. The CORS network supports establishing ground control points, an important activity for accurate geo-referencing, ground truthing, and land demarcation.
Preliminary activities involve identifying villages to be surveyed and making people aware of mapping properties through organising Gram Sabha. Pre-survey activities come next, where the village’s abadi area (inhabited area) is demarcated. Each rural property is marked with limestone (chunna) lines on the ground. Then, the main survey starts, where drones are used for large-scale mapping of rural abadi areas through aerial imagery. Post-survey activities focus on the creation of maps, the ground verification process by the drone survey team and the correction of maps through an inquiry process where survey officials verify ownership through existing records. They resolve objections and disputes resolution raised by owners.
Source: The SVAMITVA Scheme Portal, Ministry of Panchayati Raj
The final stage involves generating the final map and property data, based on which subsequently property cards are printed and distributed to the owners in the village by the government. SVAMITVA is significantly transforming rural governance by using technology for land ownership rights.
Performance
The overall project timeline is envisioned to cover around 6.62 lakh villages under the SVAMITVA scheme. During the pilot phase (2020-21), nine states were under the scheme, later it rolled out nationwide. As of March 2025, 31 states and Union Territories have signed the MoU. The total cost is 566.23 crores from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, with an extension until FY 2025-26. On 18 January 2025, the Prime Minister distributed 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards across over 50,000 villages in 10 states and 2 Union Territories.
Source: PIB, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (2025)
As of April 2025, over 2.42 crore property cards have been created in 1.61 lakh villages under the scheme. Drone surveys have been completed in 3.20 lakh villages, with full coverage in the Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Delhi and the states of Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh. Drone surveys have covered an approximate area of 68,122 square kilometres. A centralised online monitoring and reporting dashboard enables real-time tracking of implementation progress. Property cards are seamlessly accessible to beneficiaries through the DigiLocker app, allowing them to view and download their cards digitally.
Recently, India showcased the SVAMITVA scheme as a “Country Champion” at the World Bank Land Conference 2025, highlighting its success in land governance through technology and empowerment. The scheme has won the Best Innovation Award 2024 at the Indian School of Business.
Impact
Beyond the quantifiable results, SVAMITVA has considerably impacted people’s lives across rural areas of India. The scheme improves the socio-economic standard of vulnerable populations in villages by giving them access to property rights. Land disputes are a primary conflicting concern all over India. SVAMITVA aims to address the root causes by clearing the demarcation of Abadi areas and smoothening land governance. The technology adopted under the scheme has generated high-resolution digital maps that enhance Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) and village infrastructure facilities.
Source: The SVAMITVA Scheme Portal, Ministry of Panchayati Raj
The scheme exponentially impacts economic growth as people can monetise their property as collateral and, facilitate bank loans. It also streamlines property tax, increases investment, and eases business in rural areas. The prime minister, in his recent address, mentioned an estimate that once property cards are issued in all villages, they will unlock economic activities worth over 100 lakh crore.
Emerging Issues
Implementing this vast scheme on the ground has come up with major challenges. The emerging issues are:
- Delay in Survey Work: The expert committee on the scheme suggested that officials at various levels face challenges in terms of delay in notifying villages and availability of ownership data, which hampers the timely completion of the survey.
- Tech Adoption and Capacity Building: Local authorities, revenue staff and citizens face challenges in adopting technology. Even the revenue staff was not trained to use online applications to update maps.
- Lack of Awareness among Villagers: Many citizens are unaware of their rights and benefits under the scheme. It creates complexity in the dispute resolution process. They also face difficulties understanding the financial loan process using property cards, which limits the scheme’s potential.
- Data Management and Security: The robust use of IT platforms in managing data and reports comes with the challenge of safeguarding it against manipulating sensitive data in various departments and private agencies.
Way Forward
The SVAMITVA scheme represents a nationwide transformative approach to rural development by utilising advanced technology to provide legal land rights. It has direct multidimensional impacts, as more than 65% of India’s population lives in rural areas. The scheme has made significant progress toward Atmanirbar Bharat and improved rural infrastructure. A periodic convergence of this scheme with other rural development schemes will accelerate the impact and enable socio-economic transformation at the grassroots. As the scheme moves beyond its early stages, its success hinges on robust implementation, stakeholder coordination, and addressing emerging challenges. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj should take steps regarding emerging issues and recommendations from committee reports and NITI Aayog.
- States should be incentivised based on creating and distributing property cards to accelerate results.
- An accessible grievance redressal mechanism should be established at every administrative level (GP, Tehsil, District, State) for timely dispute resolution.
- State governments should collaborate closely with the State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC) and other stakeholders to ensure banks recognise property cards.
- Regular training for officials and extensive awareness campaigns for villagers must be institutionalised to maximise effectiveness.
- Robust IT safeguards are necessary to protect sensitive property data and ensure privacy.
The SVAMITVA scheme can transform rural governance with sustained political will and institutional innovation. As it is moving forward, this scheme has the potential to be a game-changer for rural India in light of the ‘Viksit Bharat’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ visions.
References
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj. (2021). Framework for Implementation of SVAMITVA Scheme (2021–2025). https://svamitva.nic.in/DownloadPDF/Svamitva_Guidelines_%20(2021-2025).pdf
- Ministry of Panchayati Raj. SVAMITVA Scheme Official Website. https://svamitva.nic.in/svamitva/
- Press Information Bureau. (2025, April 23). Building a Self-Reliant India: 5 Years of SVAMITVA Scheme. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2123886
- Press Information Bureau. (2025, May 7). India Showcases SVAMITVA as Country Champion at the Ongoing World Bank Land Conference 2025 in Washington DC. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2127523
- Press Information Bureau. (2025, January 18). Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Distributes Over 65 Lakh Property Cards Under SVAMITVA Scheme Across 10 States and 2 Union Territories. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2094008
- Press Information Bureau. (2024, December 26). Empowering Rural India: The Revolutionary Impact of SVAMITVA. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2088066
- Press Information Bureau. (2024, July 31). Survey and Mapping with Improvised Technology. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2039633
- IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute. (2021). E-Governance in Land Governance: The SVAMITVA Scheme. https://impriinsights.in/e-governance-in-land-governance-the-svamitva-scheme-2021-impri-impact-and-policy-research-institute/
- Indian Express. (2023, October 17). What is the SVAMITVA Scheme: Explained. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/what-is-the-svamitva-scheme-property-cards-in-villages-9787070/
- Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office, NITI Aayog. (2023,January 12). Analysis: SVAMITVA Scheme – Successes and Way Forward. https://dmeo.gov.in/article/analysis-svamitva-scheme-successes-and-way-forward
About the contributor: Chetan Gupta is a Research Intern at Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI). He is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in International Relations from South Asian University (established by SAARC nations), Delhi.
Acknowledgement: The author sincerely thanks Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja and the IMPRI team for their valuable support.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
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