Maharashtra has made Aadhaar-based identity verification mandatory for the registration of immovable property documents from October 1, 2026, as the state government moves to strengthen identity checks and curb fraud in property transactions. The new requirement applies to 63 categories of document registrations, including sale, purchase, mortgage and partition deeds, according to the state Revenue Department. Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said documents would not be registered without the required Aadhaar identification, making authentication a key step in the property registration process across the state.

The measure is aimed at reducing cases of impersonation and fraudulent property transactions, particularly those involving the use of false or inadequate identity documents. Under the new system, the identity of people involved in registering property-related documents will be verified through Aadhaar authentication before the registration can be completed. The requirement covers a wide range of transactions handled by registration offices, making it applicable to property buyers, sellers and other parties involved in legally recording changes or interests in immovable property.

The Maharashtra government has said the move is part of broader efforts to improve transparency and security in property documentation. Bawankule said the decision followed instructions from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and was intended to prevent cheating in property transactions. The state’s Registration and Stamps Department is responsible for registering documents through its network of sub-registrar offices. Maharashtra currently has 507 sub-registrar offices across the state, according to the department’s official administrative information.

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The new requirement does not mean that every person without an Aadhaar number will necessarily be unable to pursue a property registration. Reports on the implementation indicate that applicants who have not yet received Aadhaar can submit proof of enrolment along with other accepted identity documents, subject to verification by the authorities. The precise documentation and authentication process will therefore depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the requirements followed by the concerned registration office.

The move comes as Maharashtra continues to digitise and strengthen its land and property records. Earlier this year, the state announced an initiative to measure agricultural land subdivisions and assign unique identification numbers to land parcels, with the stated objective of addressing mismatches between physical land boundaries and official records. The latest Aadhaar requirement adds another identity-verification layer to the registration process, potentially making it harder for individuals to use another person’s identity while executing property documents.

From October 1, people registering eligible immovable property documents in Maharashtra will therefore need to account for the Aadhaar authentication requirement while completing the process. The change covers transactions such as property sales, purchases, mortgages and partitions among the 63 categories identified by the Revenue Department. The government has presented the measure primarily as an anti-fraud safeguard, while the registration system will continue to be administered through the state’s Registration and Stamps Department and its sub-registrar offices.

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