Bengaluru e-Khata Delay: Property Owners Asked to Recheck Tax, Approvals as GBA Tightens Rules

Thousands of Bengaluru property owners who are still waiting for their e-Khata may now face closer scrutiny, as urban local bodies begin enforcing stricter checks under the revised Khata framework introduced by the Karnataka government.

Officials of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) said applications are being reviewed to ensure that property tax payments, ownership records and statutory approvals are fully compliant before e-Khata certificates are issued. While the new system widens the scope for upgrading B-Khata properties to A-Khata, authorities have made it clear that incomplete or non-compliant applications will not move forward.

Under the revised process, applicants must submit proof of full property tax payment for the current financial year, valid identity documents, complete KYC details, a photograph of the property and the latest electricity bill. Officials said e-Khata certificates will not be issued if any tax dues are pending. Once all documents are verified, applications are expected to be cleared within 45 working days.

Upgrade to A-Khata Linked to Digital Approval Process

For property owners seeking to convert a B-Khata into an A-Khata, municipal approval has now become a mandatory first step. GBA officials said applicants must upload the required documents through the e-Aasthi portal before their cases can be considered.

The Karnataka government has also reiterated that certain baseline conditions must be met before an e-Khata can even be generated. These include payment of the full property tax amount, the existence of a sanctioned building plan, and formal inclusion of the property under the B-Khata category.

Revenue Officials Directed to Act on Pending Dues

In an earlier directive, Additional Commissioner (Development) of Bengaluru Central City Corporation Daljeet Kumar instructed revenue department staff to process e-Khata applications without unnecessary delay and avoid rejecting submissions without valid justification.

At the same time, officials have been told to identify properties with outstanding tax payments, issue demand notices and initiate enforcement measures. In cases of prolonged default, sealing of buildings has also been permitted under existing municipal laws.

Apartment Owners Must Apply Individually

Apartment owners hoping to obtain an A-Khata have been told that the process will not be automatic. On January 8, 2026, the state government clarified that flats built on legally approved layouts and sanctioned structures - even those currently classified under B-Khata - can move towards A-Khata status only after each individual unit is registered on the e-Khata platform.

This requirement applies across Bengaluru, regardless of the size of the apartment complex or the number of units. Authorities have also clarified that residents' welfare associations cannot submit collective applications. Each apartment owner must apply separately and complete the digital onboarding process on their own.

Cabinet Clears Path for Some B-Khata Properties

Earlier this month, the Karnataka Cabinet approved the issuance of A-Khata certificates to certain B-Khata properties located in unauthorised layouts under urban local bodies. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said the decision would apply to buildings, flats and apartments that meet the revised eligibility norms.

Officials clarified that while A-Khata is reserved for properties developed in approved layouts with sanctioned plans, B-Khata continues to apply to properties lacking full statutory approval, even though they remain liable for property tax.

What the Khata Categories Mean

An e-Khata is the digital record of a property maintained by the municipal authority, containing ownership details, property dimensions, location and tax assessment. It is essential for paying property tax and for civic documentation.

B-Khata records are maintained for properties that do not fully comply with planning regulations, such as those in unauthorised layouts or constructed without approved plans. An A-Khata, by contrast, is issued only to fully compliant properties and is required for bank loans, trade licences and unrestricted property transactions.

According to the GBA, more than 99.2 per cent of e-Khata applications received so far have already been processed. Officials said over nine lakh applications have been filed to date, with scrutiny continuing for pending and non-compliant cases.