India’s 14-Digit Unique Land Parcel Identification Number for Land Parcels – Explained Simply

Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)

The Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) system is an important initiative under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) to streamline land records management in India. It involves assigning a 14-digit alphanumeric unique ID to each land parcel in the country.

The key objective behind ULPIN is to establish a transparent and dispute-free land records management system. It will integrate land records databases across different government departments and stakeholders. ULPIN is expected to increase efficiency in land transactions, boost tax collections, facilitate targeted delivery of government schemes, and resolve property disputes.

What is ULPIN?

ULPIN is a 14-digit alphanumeric unique ID assigned to each land parcel in India based on its geographic coordinates. It has been described as the “Aadhaar for land” since it aims to uniquely identify every surveyed plot similar to how Aadhaar establishes unique identity for individuals.

The ULPIN system is being implemented by the National Informatics Centre (NIC) under the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) initiated in 2008. DILRMP aims to digitize land records and integrate them across departments for improved service delivery.

Historical Background and Implementation of ULPIN

The ULPIN concept originated from the successful Bhudhaar project implemented in Andhra Pradesh which involved assigning unique IDs to land parcels. In October 2020, the central government announced the national rollout of ULPIN across all states with a target deadline of March 2022.

The implementation of ULPIN is being led by NIC state units along with the respective state land records departments. As of July 2022, the system has been adopted by 20 states covering over 50% of the villages in India.

Objectives of ULPIN

The key objectives driving the ULPIN initiative are:

• To establish uniqueness in land parcel identification across India.
• To keep land records transparent and up-to-date.
• To link land ownership data across government departments and agencies.
• To deliver land services through a single window.

Benefits of ULPIN

ULPIN offers multiple benefits in terms of improved land governance:

• Uniqueness in transactions: ULPIN ensures a single source of truth for land parcel data thereby enabling transparency and preventing disputes.
• Updated records: Mutations get updated in real-time leading to accurate land ownership data.
• Ease of sharing: ULPIN facilitates quick sharing of land records across government agencies.
• Citizen services: Citizens can access land records digitally through a single window.
• Optimization of land utilization: Accurate digital land data aids planning and policymaking towards productive use of land resource.

Challenges and Solutions to ULPIN

Some key challenges involved in ULPIN implementation include:

• Interdepartmental coordination: Revenue department along with registration, survey and other agencies need enhanced coordination.
• Capacity building: Training programs for officials on new digital processes need to be strengthened.
• Validation of legacy data: Historical land records need extensive validation and updating which requires comprehensive field surveys.

To address these challenges, the DILRMP scheme incorporates components like survey/resurvey and inter-departmental integration along with IEC activities to facilitate ULPIN adoption.

ULPIN vs. Other Identification Systems

While ULPIN is often compared to Aadhaar, there are some key differences when it comes to application and scope:

• Aadhaar establishes identity for individuals whereas ULPIN identifies land parcels.
• Enrollment in Aadhaar is voluntary while adopting ULPIN is mandatory for all states.
• ULPIN integrates ownership data along with geospatial attributes which Aadhaar does not capture.

So while the uniqueness aspect is comparable, ULPIN serves the distinct purpose of standardizing land parcel identification across the country.

Technical Aspects of ULPIN

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed customized software to generate ULPIN codes using the longitude and latitude coordinates of land parcels. The coordinates are obtained from detailed land surveys conducted by state revenue departments and integrated with digital cadastral maps showing land parcel boundaries.

NIC manages the entire ULPIN system architecture, including the servers and database required to assign, store and retrieve ULPIN codes across India. It also provides technical support to state governments in integrating ULPIN with their existing land records.

Blockchain and ULPIN

The ULPIN system assigns a 14-digit alphanumeric ID to uniquely identify each land parcel in India. This ID serves as a blockchain identifier for the land parcel.

The use of blockchain technology provides increased trust, auditability, traceability and immutability of land records data linked to each ULPIN ID. It helps eliminate fraudulent land transactions by ensuring uniqueness of property transactions.

The ULPIN ID is generated based on the geo-coordinates (latitude/longitude) of the land parcel derived from geo-referenced cadastral maps. This links the spatial location to other information about the land.

A pilot project implementing blockchain-based cadastre and land records registry using ULPIN IDs has been launched in Darrang district, Assam in 2024. This will be scaled across the state over time.

Key benefits of using blockchain include decentralization, tamper-proof records, ease of data sharing across departments while maintaining data integrity, and linking land ownership firmly to spatial locations.

Impact on Land Management and Governance by ULPIN

ULPIN is expected to transform land governance in India by enhancing transparency and reducing fraudulent transactions.

By uniquely identifying each land parcel, ULPIN helps eliminate discrepancies in land records leading to ownership disputes and litigation. It facilitates conclusive titling – a system whereby the government guarantees legally valid titles, curbing land grabbing.

ULPIN also enables the integration of land records databases across various government departments and banks. This allows seamless sharing of land ownership data for policymaking and implementation.

For instance, ULPIN can be utilized by banks to provide credit based on land assets held by farmers. It can aid disaster management authorities by linking land ownership details with census databases to identify affected populations during calamities.

Future Prospects and Expansion of ULPIN

The Department of Land Resources plans to integrate 7/12 land extracts with ULPIN codes to create a comprehensive rural land database.

ULPIN may also be connected with other databases like Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, etc. on a voluntary basis to consolidate land ownership details of Indian citizens.

Many states have already started linking ULPIN with e-Courts, sub-registrar offices, banks and revenue records to provide a single window view of land details.

As more states adopt ULPIN, it has the potential to benefit initiatives ranging from Swamitva scheme aimed at mapping rural inhabited lands using drones to PM-KISAN database for verifying landownership of farmers.

Case Studies and Examples on ULPIN

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have implemented ULPIN in a subset of villages on a pilot basis to assess its effectiveness before state-wide rollout.

Initial results have been positive – ULPIN codes have helped banks easily identify land assets for providing loans in pilot villages of Andhra Pradesh resulting in financial inclusion.

However, few challenges experienced during pilot testing include issues in integrating textual and spatial land records, requiring extensive field surveys and coordination between revenue and survey departments.

Many developed countries like Australia and Singapore have implemented similar systems to assign unique IDs to land parcels leading to efficient administration. Learning from global best practices can help India replicate the success of ULPIN across states.

Conclusion

ULPIN has the potential to bring accountability and transparency to India’s land administration system plagued by inefficiency and corruption. Within a short span, ULPIN has shown tangible benefits in reducing land disputes and easing land transactions.

Its nationwide implementation could transform governance across sectors including agriculture, rural development and disaster management. However, strong political will and adequate investments in land surveys and digitization are vital to actualize the far-reaching changes that ULPIN aims to achieve.

In summary, ULPIN is a transformative initiative under Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme to usher transparency and efficiency in land management. It is expected to benefit multiple stakeholders while optimizing land utilization.