‘The government is phasing out traditional e-stamps and replacing them with digital e-stamps to prevent misuse and fake challans’
Bengaluru
The Karnataka government has officially ended the old e-stamp system and moved completely to a digital e-stamp process, said Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda.
Gowda, announcing the change at a press conference held at Vikas Soudha, explained that the new system has been in effect since October and is designed to make stamp-related work simpler, safer, and fully online.
The Minister said the government is phasing out traditional e-stamps and replacing them with digital e-stamps to prevent misuse and fake challans. Through the Karnataka Stamp Amendment Bill, 2025, digital signatures now have full legal recognition. This strengthens the system by allowing online fee payment, secure electronic signatures, and Aadhaar-based authentication for all transactions.
Digital e-stamps can also be used for unregistered agreements. Earlier, people had to visit shops to purchase printed stamp paper, often depending on middlemen. Now, citizens can buy stamp paper from home using an online portal. Once an agreement is created, it will be digitally stored, making it easy to retrieve anytime. The Minister noted that lost papers were a major problem earlier, but the digital system keeps permanent records.
The new digital agreements will include a unique number and QR code for verification. The fee for digital stamping will remain unchanged. To complete an agreement, Aadhaar details must be provided, and the process will be authenticated through an OTP system. Both parties involved in the agreement must use their Aadhaar details to complete the digital bond.
Krishna Byre Gowda said the system will make transactions safer, faster, and more transparent. The government aims to remove middlemen, prevent fraud, and make all stamping processes fully digital for public convenience.