SVAMITVA Scheme: PM Modi Distributes 65 Lakh Property Cards to Empower Rural India

New Delhi: In a historic moment for rural India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the e-distribution of 65,00,000 SVAMITVA Property Cards today. The event witnessed the distribution of property cards in over 50,000 villages spanning 10 States – Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and 2 Union Territories – Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This initiative marks a transformative step in strengthening land governance, fostering financial inclusion, and empowering rural communities in India.

Here’s an overview of the scheme and the milestones it has achieved till now: APAC News Explained

• What is the SVAMITVA Scheme?

Launched on April 24, 2020, the SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme aims to provide rural property owners with an official ‘Record of Rights’ for their properties. Using advanced drone and GIS technology, the initiative maps rural Abadi land and issues property cards, resolving land disputes and empowering citizens with legal ownership.

• What is an Abadi Land and why is its documentation important?

Abadi Land refers to the residential or inhabited area within a rural village in India. It is the part of a village where people reside and typically includes houses, community spaces, and other infrastructure related to the settlement. The term is derived from the Hindi word ‘abadi’, which means “population” or “inhabitation.”

The documentation of these lands will ensure that the property owners have formal records, thereby securing their ownership rights. In addition, it will enable rural residents to use property as collateral for loans, reduce land-related disputes through clear demarcation, and facilitate better village-level development and governance.

• What has been the progress of the scheme?

The scheme has made remarkable strides in transforming rural land governance across India. It has mapped 67,000 sq. km of rural Abadi land, valued at approximately Rs. 132 lakh crore. Drone surveys have been completed in 3,17,000 villages, covering 92% of the total 3,46,187 villages notified under the scheme. This includes complete saturation in Union Territories like Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Delhi, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu, as well as states such as Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh.

Additionally, property cards have been generated for all inhabited villages in Haryana, Uttarakhand, Puducherry, Tripura, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Goa, demonstrating significant progress in implementation. States like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh have achieved 100% drone survey coverage, with property card preparation progressing at 73.57% and 68.93%, respectively. Haryana and Uttarakhand stand out for completing both drone surveys and property card distribution at 100%. Other states, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Rajasthan, have shown notable advancements, with Maharashtra and Gujarat completing over 98% of drone surveys, though further efforts are needed to expedite property card generation.

• How does the initiative boost India’s global recognition?

India’s success story is poised to inspire global adoption. In March 2025, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, will host an International Workshop on Land Governance. Representatives from Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia will explore India’s best practices and cutting-edge drone technologies. In May 2025, the World Bank Land Governance Conference in Washington will further showcase the SVAMITVA model, amplifying its international outreach.