DIGITALIZATION OF LAND RECORDS: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON E-GOVERNANCE AND PROPERTY RIGHTS

DIGITALIZATION OF LAND RECORDS: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON E-GOVERNANCE AND PROPERTY RIGHTS

DIGITALIZATION OF LAND RECORDS: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON E-GOVERNANCE AND PROPERTY RIGHTS

UNDER THE SUB THEME OF

DIGITIZATION OF LAND RECORDS

AUTHOR – Dr. REKHA V,ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF LAW (S.G) IN CHENNAI DR. AMBEDKAR GOVERNMENT LAW COLLEGE, PUDUPAKKAM, MAIL ID: REKHASURESH1817@GMAIL.COM

BEST CITATION – Dr. REKHA V, DIGITALIZATION OF LAND RECORDS: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE ON E-GOVERNANCE AND PROPERTY RIGHTS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 5 (11) OF 2025, PG. 18-28, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The digitalization of land records is a transformative step towards ensuring transparency, efficiency, and security in property rights management. This process involves the integration of technology with legal frameworks to streamline land administration, reduce fraudulent transactions, and enhance accessibility. In India, initiatives such as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) aim to create a centralized, tamper-proof digital database of land records, ensuring uniformity and reducing litigation. The transition from manual record-keeping to digital platforms presents significant legal challenges, including concerns over data privacy, cybersecurity, interoperability of databases, and discrepancies in traditional land tenure systems. The legal framework governing land digitalization must align with constitutional property rights, data protection laws, and emerging concerns regarding artificial intelligence and blockchain applications in land governance. Furthermore, jurisdictional issues between state and central governments add complexity to policy implementation. This paper explores the role of digitalization in strengthening legal certainty over land ownership, mitigating disputes, and ensuring social justice in property distribution. It also examines landmark judicial precedents and statutory provisions that influence the evolving landscape of e-governance in land administration. Ultimately, digitalization must strike a balance between efficiency and legal safeguards to uphold citizens’ fundamental property rights while leveraging technology for seamless governance.

Keywords: Digital Land Records, Property Rights, E-Governance, Legal Framework, Cybersecurity in Land Administration