Bengaluru Crosses 25 Lakh e-Khatas, Govt Pushes Full Digital Property Records Drive

Bengaluru's push towards digitising property records has gained significant momentum, with the Karnataka government bringing more than 25 lakh properties under the e-Khata system. Officials say the move is part of a broader effort to enhance transparency, streamline ownership verification, and reduce discrepancies in property documentation across the city.

Massive e-Khata rollout marks a milestone

Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar highlighted the scale of the initiative, noting that over 7,000 applications have already been processed as part of the transition.

"Twenty five lakh e-Khatas is a great number which has created history," he said.

He added that the government is working towards building a comprehensive and reliable database by integrating Aadhaar details, digital documentation, GPS mapping, and property sketches. Each digital record is expected to include precise GPS coordinates, property dimensions, shape, photographs, and supporting documents.

"We want to see that every record is filled right. They are asking for documentation, a stamp, and digital documents. We wanted to connect every Aadhaar card and have it online," Shivakumar said.

Authorities have also indicated that further outreach efforts are being planned to ensure that property owners who are yet to register under the system are brought into the fold.

Understanding e-Khata and its significance

An e-Khata is a digital property certificate that records ownership details, tax status, and classification within a centralised civic database. It replaces the traditional paper-based khata system, which was often criticised for manual errors and inconsistencies.

The system was introduced to modernise property records previously maintained by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike. With the promise of online issuance within 48 hours, it aims to simplify verification processes and bring greater clarity for both buyers and developers.

By enabling real-time updates and digital access, e-Khata reduces dependency on physical paperwork and minimises the risk of fraud in property transactions.

What the shift means for homebuyers

Real estate experts believe the digitisation drive will benefit homebuyers by improving title clarity and reducing legal ambiguities. As the market increasingly leans towards organised and compliant developments, a reliable digital record system could also boost institutional investments.

"The khata is essentially the record of ownership that gets updated once a property is registered and the title is transferred. As early as 2013, the government made it mandatory to have a khata before a property could be registered. At that time, however, the entire system was still paper-based, which left scope for delays and inconsistencies," said Dhananjaya Padmanabhachar, director of the Karnataka Home Buyers Forum.

"Over time, we saw a shift to e-Khata, which enabled the digitisation of these ownership records and reduced dependence on physical documents. At one stage, registrations were even halted without e-Khata, underlining how critical it had become to the process. The key advantage for homebuyers today is that ownership data can move seamlessly between government departments in a digital format, improving transparency, efficiency, and reliability in property transactions," he added.

How property owners can access their e-Khata

The Greater Bengaluru Authority has enabled property owners to download their e-Khata online using their SAS Property Tax ID. The service is available across five city corporations within the Greater Bengaluru Area.

Users can log into the official portal using their mobile number and OTP verification. After entering the SAS Property Tax ID, the e-Khata can be downloaded instantly.

Authorities have also made provisions to send download links directly via SMS or WhatsApp to registered mobile numbers, making access more convenient.

The updated system removes the need to search records using owner names, instead relying on property-specific identifiers, which officials say will further simplify and speed up the process.