Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have made commendable progress in drone surveys, with Maharashtra and Gujarat achieving over 98%, though further acceleration is needed in property card preparation  

65 Lakh SVAMITVA Property Cards Distributed

“Ensuring a dignified life for the people of rural India is the priority of my Government”  - PM Modi

New Delhi: Launched by the Prime Minister on National Panchayati Raj Day, April 24, 2020, the SVAMITVA Scheme aims to drive the economic transformation of rural India by providing property owners in village Abadi areas with a “Record of Rights.” Utilizing advanced drone and GIS technology for land demarcation, the scheme fosters property monetization, facilitates access to bank loans, minimizes property disputes, and promotes comprehensive village-level planning. As a step towards achieving true Gram Swaraj, the initiative is instrumental in empowering rural India and making it Atmanirbhar!

On 18th January 2025, as a reflection of the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi e-distributed 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards across more than 50,000 villages in 10 states and 2 Union Territories in the presence of Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh. During the ceremony, he addressed the nation and interacted with beneficiaries, with dignitaries from across the country joining virtually.[2] This event marks a landmark achievement in the SVAMITVA scheme, furthering the vision of empowering rural India with legal land ownership.

Need for SVAMITVA

For decades, the survey and settlement of rural land in India had remained incomplete, with many states failing to map or document the Abadi (inhabited) areas of villages. This lack of legal records left property owners in these areas without formal records effectively barring them from accessing institutional credit to upgrade their homes or use their property as a financial asset for loans and other financial assistance. The absence of such documentation persisted for over seven decades, posing a significant barrier to the economic progress of rural India. Recognizing the critical importance of legally recognized property records for economic empowerment, a modern solution was necessary. Consequently, the SVAMITVA Scheme was conceptualized to leverage advanced drone technology for the survey and mapping of village Abadi areas. In a short span of time PM SVAMITVA has already achieved exemplary milestones.

Achievements of the Scheme

Distribution of 65 lakh SVAMITVA property cards in more than 50,000 villages in 10 States (Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh) and 2 Union Territories (Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh) on 18th January 2025.

Under the SVAMITVA Scheme with the objective to provide the ‘Record of Rights’ to village household owners possessing houses in inhabited rural areas in villages and issuance of Property cards to the Property owners, 31 States/UTs have on-boarded the Scheme.

At the national level, a total of 3,46,187 villages have been notified under the scheme, with drone flying completed in 3,17,715 villages, marking 92% achievement.

Maps have been handed over for State inquiries, and property cards have been prepared for 1,53,726 villages, resulting in the issuance of nearly 2.25 crore property cards.

States like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have achieved 100% drone surveys, with substantial progress in property card preparation at 73.57% and 68.93%, respectively.

Haryana and Uttarakhand stand out with 100% completion in both drone surveys and property card preparation. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have made commendable progress in drone surveys, with Maharashtra and Gujarat achieving over 98%, though further acceleration is needed in property card preparation.

 A total of 67,000 sq.km of rural Abadi land has been surveyed, valued at Rs.132 lakh crore, emphasizing the economic significance of the initiative.

A centralized online monitoring and reporting dashboard enables real-time tracking of implementation progress. Property cards are seamlessly accessible to beneficiaries through the DigiLocker app, allowing them to view and download their cards digitally.

The scheme also employs survey-grade drones coupled with the Continuous Operating Referencing System (CORS) network to produce high-resolution maps swiftly and accurately, revolutionizing the process of rural land demarcation.

SVAMITVA's Wide-reaching Impact

Success Stories

The SVAMITVA Scheme has emerged as a transformative initiative, reshaping rural governance and empowering communities through its innovative approach to property validation and land management. These examples underscore the scheme's role in driving rural progress and fostering self-reliance.

Dispute Resolution: After 25 years of uncertainty, Smt. Sunita from Taropka village, Hamirpur Tehsil, Himachal Pradesh, finally secured ownership of her ancestral land through the SVAMITVA Scheme. With her property card, she resolved a long-standing dispute with her neighbor, bringing much-needed peace and stability to her family’s future. The SVAMITVA initiative provided clear legal ownership, significantly improving her situation.

Women Empowerment: Smt. Sawarn Kantra, a refugee from the 1947 partition, had never had official ownership papers for the land she’s lived on for years. For the first time, she received a property card, granting her legal ownership and securing her family’s future. This ownership provides her not only with financial security but also dignity and peace of mind. Through the SVAMITVA Scheme, Smt. Kantra gained legal rights to her land, ensuring empowerment and stability for her family in Dhoop Sari village, Ramgarh Tehsil, Samba District, Jammu and Kashmir.

Financial Inclusion: Sh. Sukhlal Pargi from Falated village, Sagwada Tehsil, Dungarpur District, Rajasthan, received a Patta and Property Card under the SVAMITVA Scheme. This official documentation enabled him to access formal financial services. Using the property card, he successfully availed a bank loan of Rs 3 lakh, which was disbursed in a streamlined manner. The SVAMITVA Scheme has provided him with not only legal ownership but also the opportunity for economic growth and stability.

Increased Own Source of Revenue: The SVAMITVA Scheme in Ekhatpur-Munjvadi, led by Smt. Shital Kiran Tilekdar, Sarpanch, successfully provided property cards to households, reducing land disputes and improving public space management. It helped resolve encroachments and road issues, enabling better village planning. The scheme boosted the Gram Panchayat's Own Source Revenue (OSR) with updated property records and gave residents access to bank loans for construction, driving economic growth. This initiative enhanced governance, transparency, and financial sustainability, creating a model for rural development in India.

Leveraging SVAMITVA maps for Panchayat Planning: Before the SVAMITVA Scheme, Bilkisganj Gram Panchayat in Sehore, Madhya Pradesh, relied on hand-drawn maps, making it challenging to determine accurate land dimensions and estimate service costs. With the introduction of SVAMITVA Maps and spatial planning, the Panchayat now has access to precise, data-driven insights. This innovation has improved land allocation for various activities and optimized development planning. Under the leadership of Smt. Priya Rajesh Jangde, the shift to spatially informed planning has streamlined decision-making, enabling more effective land use and better service delivery, empowering Bilkisganj for sustainable development.

International Outreach to Showcase India’s Land Governance Model

Looking ahead, the Ministry plans to showcase the success of the SVAMITVA Scheme on global platforms. In March 2025, MoPR in collaboration with Ministry of External Affairs, has planned to host an International Workshop on Land Governance in India, with participation from nearly 40 representatives from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This workshop aims to share best practices and advanced drone and GIS technologies, fostering collaboration for similar initiatives worldwide. In May 2025, the Ministry is also planning to participate in the World Bank Land Governance Conference in Washington to highlight India’s achievements and encourage international adoption of the model.

The SVAMITVA Scheme is reshaping the story of rural India—transforming age-old land ownership challenges into opportunities for growth and empowerment. By marrying innovation with inclusivity, it breaks barriers, resolves disputes, and turns property into a powerful tool for economic progress. From high-tech drone surveys to digital property cards, the scheme isn't just about maps and boundaries; it's about dreams and possibilities. As villages embrace this change, SVAMITVA emerges as more than a government initiative—it’s a catalyst for self-reliance, smarter planning, and a stronger, unified rural India, stated a press release.