Aadhaar verification optional for document registration bill

New Delhi

A new draft bill by the Ministry of Rural Development aims to modernize the registration of land and property documents by enabling online processes and offering flexible identity verification options. While Aadhaar-based authentication is allowed with consent, the bill provides alternative verification methods for those without Aadhaar or who prefer not to use it.

The bill supports electronic submission, registration certificates, and digital record-keeping to make the process faster and more transparent. It expands the list of documents that require registration, such as sale deeds, gift deeds, mortgages, leases, wills, and powers of attorney, reflecting current property practices.

To improve administration, the draft introduces new roles like additional inspectors general and streamlines the appointment of registrars. It also emphasizes clear language and user-friendly procedures, especially benefiting individuals and small businesses.

Unlike current laws that require physical presence and fingerprinting, the bill allows signatures in physical or digital form and supports various biometric and ID verifications, including offline and consent-based Aadhaar checks. Importantly, no one will be denied registration for lacking an Aadhaar number.

To prevent fraud, the government may still require physical presence before registration certificates are issued. The bill also defines grounds for denial of registration and sets up an appeal system. It encourages the use of digital tools like computers, scanners, and cloud storage to support efficient registration services.