The Government of Telangana has implemented new rules under the Bhu Bharathi Act, 2024 to overhaul land record management. These changes are designed to replace the older Dharani system and bring transparency, accuracy, and accessibility to rural land transactions. The Bhu Bharathi new rules introduce village-level revenue monitoring, GPS-based land mapping, and a simplified digital portal to benefit farmers and landowners.
Overview of Bhu Bharathi New Rules
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Bhu Bharathi |
| Implementing Authority | Revenue Department, Telangana |
| Purpose | Transparent land registration & record maintenance |
| Launch Year | 2025 |
| Rollout Phase | Phase 2 implemented across 32 districts |
| Key Innovation | GPS-enabled land sketches & Bhudhaar IDs |
New Provisions Under Bhu Bharathi Rules
Survey map compulsory before registration or mutation.
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GPS-Linked Land Sketches
Under the new Bhu Bharathi rules, all agricultural land transactions must include a GPS-based sketch indicating coordinates. This ensures precise boundary definitions and minimizes land disputes. -
Village-Level Land Surveys
Drone and ground-based surveys are being conducted in over 400 villages to digitize and update cadastral maps. This is a crucial step under the Bhu Bharathi new rules to create a unified digital land database. -
Bhudhaar Parcel Numbers
Every land parcel will now receive a unique 11-digit Bhudhaar number, much like an Aadhaar ID. This number will be linked to land records, maps, and ownership details under Bhu Bharathi new rules. -
Empanelled Licensed Surveyors
Nearly 5,000 licensed surveyors are being trained and deployed to prepare certified GPS maps and upload them to the Bhu Bharathi portal. This initiative will support accurate and legal documentation. -
Simplified Land Portal
The Bhu Bharathi portal simplifies the previous Dharani interface by reducing the number of modules and adding user-friendly features like live tracking, chatbot support, and grievance management. -
Dispute Resolution Framework
The new Bhu Bharathi rules empower tahsildars, RDOs, and collectors to handle land-related complaints. This local-level resolution approach ensures faster and fairer outcomes. -
Revival of Village Revenue Officers (VROs)
The Bhu Bharathi new rules reinstate VROs and VRAs to actively maintain land records, conduct verifications, and support farmers at the grassroots level.
Telangana Bhu Bharati ror Act1of2025TS pdf
Key Dates and Implementation Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Bhu Bharathi Act Enforced | April 14, 2025 |
| Phase 2 District Rollout Begins | May 2025 |
| GPS Sketch Mandatory for Land Deals | August 2025 |
| Full Portal & Surveyor Network Operational | October 2025 |
Summary Table – Bhu Bharathi New Rules
| Rule | Purpose |
|---|---|
| GPS-Based Sketch for Land Deal | Boundary accuracy and dispute prevention |
| Bhudhaar Number for Every Parcel | Unique ID linking ownership and records |
| VRO System Revival | Village-level record updates and on-ground verification |
| Surveyor Certification & Empanelment | Ensures legal & accurate sketch generation |
| Grievance Redressal by Tahsildars | Faster dispute handling through local administration |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What are Bhu Bharathi new rules about?
Bhu Bharathi new rules are land reforms introduced in Telangana to ensure digital record maintenance, dispute-free registration, and GPS-based land mapping.
Q2. Is GPS sketch compulsory for land registration?
Yes, from August 2025, GPS-based land sketches are mandatory for all agricultural land registrations as per Bhu Bharathi new rules.
Q3. What is the Bhudhaar number under Bhu Bharathi?
A Bhudhaar number is an 11-digit unique identifier assigned to each land parcel, linking ownership, boundary details, and record data digitally.
Q4. Who manages grievances under Bhu Bharathi?
Tahsildars, RDOs, and district collectors are assigned to resolve issues quickly at the village or district level, streamlining land-related disputes.
Q5. What is the role of VROs under the new Bhu Bharathi rules?
Village Revenue Officers help maintain land records, assist in field verification, and update land maps at the village level as part of the Bhu Bharathi structure.
Bhu Bharathi vs Dharani Telangana: A Clear Comparison of Land Record Portals
Telangana has initiated a landmark transformation in land administration by replacing the existing Dharani portal with the newly launched Bhu Bharathi system. Both platforms are designed to manage land records digitally, but Bhu Bharathi introduces reforms to address the limitations of Dharani. This comparison of Bhu Bharathi vs Dharani Telangana highlights the key differences in technology, governance, and services offered to landowners.
🔍 Key Differences: Bhu Bharathi vs Dharani
| Feature/Aspect | Dharani Portal | Bhu Bharathi Portal |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Year | 2020 | 2025 |
| Scope | Primarily for agricultural land | Agricultural land, community lands, and more |
| Survey Integration | Limited | GPS & drone-based land mapping |
| Land Parcel ID | Based on local records | 11-digit Bhudhaar number for every land parcel |
| Dispute Resolution | Centralized, via online appeals | Tahsildar, RDO, and District-level local resolution |
| Portal Interface | Complicated, multiple menus | Simplified interface with 6 modules |
| Mobile App / Chatbot | No | Yes – Grievance app and Bhu Mitra chatbot |
| VRO/VRA Role | Removed | Reinstated for better local verification |
| Grievance Handling | Poor resolution rate | Two-tier grievance redressal system |
| Registration Speed | Slower due to verification gaps | Faster with certified GPS survey uploaded |
| Security | Static documents | Geotagged and timestamped uploads |
✅ Why Telangana Moved from Dharani to Bhu Bharathi
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Land Disputes: Dharani led to a rise in land disputes due to lack of verified boundary maps. Bhu Bharathi mandates GPS-tagged land sketches, ensuring clarity.
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Portal Complexity: Users found Dharani hard to navigate. Bhu Bharathi simplifies user flow, reduces confusion, and introduces mobile-based tracking.
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Lack of Field-Level Verification: Dharani eliminated Village Revenue Officers (VROs), resulting in ground verification issues. Bhu Bharathi reintroduces VROs to strengthen local accountability.
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Survey Coverage: While Dharani relied on old maps, Bhu Bharathi uses real-time drone and GPS surveys to update over 413 villages with missing cadastral maps.
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Grievance Redressal: Dharani’s digital-only appeal system was slow. Bhu Bharathi offers multi-tier local grievance support with proper accountability.
📌 Bhu Bharathi Improvements Over Dharani
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Bhudhaar Numbers: Unique land IDs reduce duplication and fraud.
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Village Mapping: All villages to be fully surveyed with drone/GPS.
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Ease of Access: Intuitive layout, mobile-friendly dashboard.
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Empowered Local Staff: VROs assist farmers with data entry and record correction.
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Legal Certainty: Stronger documentation backed by certified surveyors.
📅 Timeline of Transition
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April 2024: Announcement of Bhu Bharathi replacing Dharani.
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April 14, 2025: Official rollout with pilot in select mandals.
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May–Aug 2025: Phased rollout in all 32 districts of Telangana.
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August 2025 onwards: GPS sketch mandatory for new registrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is the main difference between Bhu Bharathi and Dharani?
Bhu Bharathi uses GPS-based land verification and Bhudhaar numbers, while Dharani relied on outdated records without proper ground validation.
Q2. Is Dharani completely shut down?
Yes, for rural/agricultural lands, Dharani has been phased out and replaced by Bhu Bharathi.
Q3. How does Bhudhaar improve land security?
Each parcel is linked to an 11-digit Bhudhaar number with geo-coordinates, making it tamper-proof and reducing fraudulent registrations.
Q4. Will VROs assist with land registration now?
Yes, VROs are reappointed under Bhu Bharathi to verify local records and support landowners during the registration process.
Q5. Are existing Dharani records still valid?
Yes, existing Dharani entries remain valid, but fresh transactions must comply with Bhu Bharathi rules including GPS sketch submission.