Context: 

Recently, the Prime Minister distributed over 65 lakh property cards to rural families in a single day under the SVAMITVA scheme.

More on the News

• This momentous e-distribution ceremony, conducted via video conferencing, covered more than 50,000 villages across 10 States and 2 Union Territories, marking an unprecedented milestone in rural governance and empowerment.
• This remarkable achievement brings the total number of property cards distributed under SVAMITVA to 2.25 crore.

About SVAMITVA Scheme

• The SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) was launched by PM on April 24, 2020, on the National Panchayati Raj Day.
• It is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj that provides a ‘Record of Rights’ to household owners in village Abadi areas with the issuance of legal ownership cards (Property cards/Title deeds) by mapping land parcels using advanced drone and GIS technology.

Objectives:

• Creation of accurate land records for rural planning and reducing property-related disputes.
• To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
• Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the Gram Panchayats directly in States where it is devolved or else, add to the State exchequer.
• Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use. 
• To support the preparation of a better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.

Implementation Process:

• MOU Signing: Begins with a memorandum of understanding between the Survey of India (SoI) and state governments.
• Survey and Mapping: The process involves mapping rural areas using drones and preparing village-level GIS maps (1:500 scale).
• Ground Verification: After drone surveys, ground verification is conducted, and any corrections are made.
• Conflict Resolution: An inquiry and objection process ensures any disputes or conflicts are resolved.
• Property Card Distribution: After final verification, property cards (known as Sampatti Patrak) are issued to the landowners.

Challenges:

• Several States did not have an online system for updating and recording Abadi land ownership.  
• Revenue staff are not trained to use online applications for updating maps.  
• Citizens are not aware of the benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme.
• Challenges persist in tribal areas due to communal land ownership and family disputes, making it difficult to settle property titles.
• Tamil Nadu, Bihar, and Odisha have opted out of the scheme, as they have already updated their rural land records.

Achievements of the Scheme:

• At the national level, a total of 3,46,187 villages have been notified under the scheme, with drone surveys completed in 3.17 lakh villages, marking 92% coverage of targeted villages.
• Maps have been handed over for State inquiries, and property cards have been prepared for 1.53 lakh villages, resulting in the issuance of nearly 2.25 crore property cards.
• The scheme has reached full saturation in Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Goa, Uttarakhand and Haryana.  
• A total of 67,000 sq.km of rural Abadi (Inhabited) land has been surveyed, valued at ₹132 lakh crore, emphasizing the economic significance of the initiative.
• The distribution of property cards to all villages is expected to unlock economic activities worth over ₹100 lakh crores, particularly in rural areas.
• The success of SVAMITVA has garnered international attention, with India’s innovative land governance model set to be showcased at an International Workshop in March 2025 and the World Bank Land Governance Conference in May 2025.