The National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations (NAKSHA) was launched on February 18, 2025, by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. This initiative aims to modernize urban land records in India, addressing the longstanding issue of outdated mapping in many urban areas. As part of the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), NAKSHA will be piloted across 152 urban local bodies in 26 states.
What Is NAKSHA?
NAKSHA is a comprehensive survey initiative designed to create accurate geospatial databases for urban land records. By integrating aerial and field surveys with advanced Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, it aims to enhance land governance. The initiative focuses on towns with areas under 35 square kilometers and populations below 200,000. The pilot project is scheduled to span one year.
Need for the Initiative
Urban areas in India have struggled with outdated land records, which hinder efficient governance and taxation. While rural land records have seen significant improvements, many urban regions still lack proper mapping. NAKSHA seeks to address these gaps by ensuring that urban land records are digitized and structured. The initiative was first introduced in the Union Budget of 2024 and reaffirmed in 2025, highlighting the urgent need for urban sector reforms.
Objectives of NAKSHA
The primary objectives of NAKSHA include:
- Digitization of urban land records.
- Reduction of land disputes.
- Enhancement of urban planning efficiency.
- Streamlining property transactions.
- Improving tax collection.
By creating a digital repository, the project is expected to strengthen the financial position of urban local bodies and improve overall land management.
Funding and Costs
NAKSHA is fully funded by the central government, with an estimated pilot project cost of ₹194 crore. The cost of surveying varies based on the camera technology used:
- Basic camera surveys: ₹25,000 to ₹30,000 per square kilometer.
- Advanced 3D camera surveys: ₹60,000 per square kilometer.
Survey Methodology
The survey will employ aerial photography through drones equipped with high-resolution cameras, including oblique angle cameras with LiDAR sensors. This technology will provide images with greater clarity than satellite imagery. The survey process consists of three stages:
- Selection of survey areas.
- Conducting aerial surveys.
- Ground verification for accuracy.
Future Expansion
Upon successful completion of the pilot phase, NAKSHA is set to expand to 4,912 urban local bodies across India. This large-scale implementation aims to create a robust framework for urban land management, facilitating better decision-making, efficient urban planning, and enhanced governance.