NAGPUR: On Thursday, the Maharashtra government officially recognized digitally signed 7/12, 8-A, and property card extracts, signifying a significant transformation in the state’s land administration. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has instructed district collectors to treat these digital land records as legally binding for all governmental bodies, courts, banks, and registration offices, thereby eliminating a process that has long been hindered by bureaucracy, delays, and dependence on manual signatures.
Effective immediately, citizens can download certified copies of their land documents online via the Mahabhumi portal for ₹15. These extracts are embedded with a digital signature, a scannable QR code, and a unique 16-digit verification number to enhance security and prevent tampering or forgery. The previous necessity of a physical stamp and signature from a talathi has been abolished.
Bawankule described the decision as historic, stating that this shift represents “a proud moment for Maharashtra.” He emphasized that by eliminating manual signatures and stamps, the government is addressing decades of harassment, delays, and corruption at grassroots levels. Farmers and landowners will no longer need to wait in lines or pay intermediaries, as they now have access to a transparent, affordable, and 24/7 solution at their fingertips.
Officials noted that this reform aims to streamline land transactions, fortify digital governance, and minimize disputes over manipulated or outdated records. The directive also mandates universal acceptance, meaning that no official authority can refuse a digitally signed land extract for tasks such as loan processing, property registration, or legal verification.
Administrators anticipate that this initiative will reduce traffic in talathi and tehsil offices while improving the accuracy of records through digital verification tools. The revenue department views this as a foundational step toward creating a fully digitized, secure, and citizen-focused land management system.
