Automatic land mutation system launched; will cut delays, curb middlemen

Bengaluru: Revenue minister Krishna Byre Gowda Tuesday launched a statewide automatic property mutation system that enables the revenue department to update land ownership records in the Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops (RTC) without human intervention. Byre Gowda said the reform marks a major milestone in the department's transformation drive over the past two-and-a-half years. During a month-long pilot in Mandya, the system enabled 98% of mutation transfers to be processed automatically.
Registration of mutation, a core function of the department, earlier required citizens to make several visits to offices and often involved delays and middlemen. "With automatic mutation, citizens can complete khata transfers or registration of mutation online from home using their mobile phones," Gowda said. He said auto mutation was introduced for documents not requiring statutory notice from April 2024. Between April 1, 2024, and Feb 20, 2026, 35,11,987 khata transfers were completed through the system. Digital signatures replaced physical visits and biometric authentication, saving time for both citizens and officials. The system has been expanded statewide for documents requiring seven-day or 15-day notice period. Registered transactions carry a seven-day notice period, and non-registered cases carry a 15-day notice period. Applications are auto approved on the 8th (registered) and 16th day (non-registered) if no objections are raised. Information on mutations can be obtained from e-Chawadi. Dispute applications must be submitted with relevant documents through e-KYC within the stipulated time. Only applications with appropriate documents will be transferred to the tahsildar court, where they must be resolved within 90 days, after which khata transfers will be carried out through automated mutation. Aadhaar link to cut fraud To curb fraudulent transactions and secure ownership, Byre Gowda urged landowners to link Aadhaar with RTC records. He said any change, sale, court order or name addition would trigger SMS alerts to owners, helping prevent unauthorised mutations. Rajender Kumar Kataria, additional chief secretary (revenue department), said the system would also reduce the workload of revenue inspectors and village accountants, as they would no longer need to visit thasildar offices to complete mutation procedures.