Get the Tata Capital App to apply for Loans & manage your account. Download Now

Blogs

SUPPORT

Menu  
 
Apply Now
Apply Now

Tata Capital > Blog >  All about Meghalaya land records 

Loan for Home

 All about Meghalaya land records 

 All about Meghalaya land records 

Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of India’s North East, is home to many tribes. Each tribe brings with it its unique customs, culture, and modes of communication. Meghalaya’s real estate sector is different from other states in the country. The land falling within the territory’s jurisdiction does not belong to the state government. It has been owned by the indigenous tribes residing on the land for thousands of years.

The Directorate of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS) prepares and maintains Meghalaya land records. It is supervised by the Meghalaya Revenue and Disaster Management Department (MRDMD) and follows the guidelines of the Land Survey and Records Preparation Act, 1980.

If you own real estate in Meghalaya, you must know that the records are currently only available offline. This comprehensive guide teaches you about DLRS, its functionalities, and why the records are not yet available online.

About the Directorate of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS)

The Directorate of Land Records and Surveys operates under the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. It maintains the state’s land records offline, as the land in Meghalaya was last surveyed during the British regime. The only exception is some villages in the Garo Hills. The land records or Bhulekh Meghalaya indicate the land’s occupancy and possession. 

Key functionalities of the DLRS

Surveying works for the preparation of land records.

  • Managing responsibilities related to districts and sub-divisional boundaries.
  • Annually restoring displaced/missing/damaged boundary pillars in collaboration with the Bangladesh authorities, based on sectors.
  • Printing Indo-Bangladesh district and state maps and strip maps.
  • Compiling the state’s completed land acquisition cases.

Moreover, DLRS Meghalaya coordinates with the following district offices to digitize maps and update revenue records:

  • Survey Wing associated with the Director of Land Records and Surveys in Shillong.
  • Revenue Branch of six districts and one sub-division.
  • The Meghalaya Survey School, headquartered in Tura.

Survey Wing

The survey wing of the DLRS comprises the following four sections:

  • General and Controlling Section
  • Traverse Section
  • Drawing Section
  • Reproduction Section

The first section fulfills administrative purposes, while the other three are technical in nature. The functions and duties of the survey wing are as follows:

  • Cadastral survey
  • Survey and demarcation of the inter-state boundary
  • Maintenance of the Indo-Bangladesh boundary
  • Training for the Meghalaya Police Service (MPS) and Meghalaya Civil Services (MCS) officers
  • Training for the District and Land Records staff
  • Implementation of the metric cell scheme

Revenue Branch

The Revenue Branch comes under the control of the respective Deputy Commissioners (DC) and Sub-divisional Officers (SDO) (Civil). These officials are the Principal Revenue Officers and Collectors of the specific districts and subdivisions. The DC and the SDO are assisted by Revenue Officers from the MCS.

Meghalaya Survey School

The Meghalaya Survey School was established in 1974 to impart six months of training in the Recorders Course. Its headquarters are in Tura, West Garo Hills District. It is directly supervised by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Tura, who also serves as the school’s principal.

Also,Read-  MP Bhulekh: One-Stop Destination to Check Madhya Pradesh Land Records Online 

Why are Meghalaya land records not available online?

Many of the country’s state governments are digitizing the age-old talukdari system under the National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP). Digitization of records is necessary for transparency, accountability, and ease of access to land-related information. However, unlike other Indian states, Meghalaya hasn’t succeeded in launching its online mechanism for land records. There is no record of rights (RoR).

The DLRS is a separate department for managing the state’s land records and surveys, but there is no Meghalaya government-managed online portal. The reasons for this backlog are identified as follows:

  1. The state government does not own the land in Meghalaya. It belongs to the native tribal groups. Therefore, the state cannot levy land tax rates, land registration guidelines, or other land-related norms on these tribal groups and their respective lands.
  2. Meghalaya is home to a variety of cultures and communities that follow their own modes of communication. It is a challenge for the state government to introduce digital literacy to these tribes, who prefer to use their methods of calculation and communication.

Also,Read- Everything You Need to Know About Haryana Land Records


Meghalaya land records: Ownership and legal status

If you’re wondering, “Can I buy land in Meghalaya?”, you must understand that land ownership in Meghalaya is mainly governed by tribal customs and not uniform state laws. Most of the state’s land belongs to indigenous tribal communities, clans, or families, whose rights are strongly protected by the Constitution. 

Meghalaya does not have a fully digitized or publicly available online Bhulekh system. Land records are maintained offline by the local revenue authorities. A non-tribal inhabitant cannot purchase land due to strict legal restrictions. Even tribal owners must comply with customary rules and community consent. This system ensures land remains protected and in the ownership of the local communities. 

Process to get Meghalaya land records offline 

Follow the steps mentioned below to get records for land ownership in Meghalaya.

  1. Find the nearest DLRS office from the official website of the Revenue and Disaster Management Department. 
  2. Visit the specific DLRS office with relevant information about your property. 
  3. Submit a written letter requesting land records in Meghalaya. Ask for a form and fill it out with the required details, such as district, village, etc. 
  4. Once you’ve completed the form, attach property-related documents, including ownership proof. 
  5. Pay the applicable charges and collect the payment receipt. 
  6. If everything is complete and accurate, the authorized officials will give you the required Meghalaya land records information. 

Also,Read-  Bhulekh UP: Uttar Pradesh Land Records Online

Important laws and acts governing Meghalaya’s land records

The important Meghalaya land laws are:

  • Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution: This law grants autonomy to tribal areas and empowers Autonomous District Councils to regulate land ownership and transfer.
  • Meghalaya Transfer of Land (Regulation) Act, 1971: It restricts the transfer of land from tribals to non-tribals to protect indigenous land rights.
  • Customary Tribal Laws: The law governs land ownership, inheritance, and usage, varying across the Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo regions.
  • Autonomous District Council Acts: It enables local councils to frame rules on land administration and settlement.
  • Meghalaya Land Revenue Regulation: The law guides land surveys, record maintenance, and revenue administration, wherever applicable.

Conclusion

Land records are available offline in Meghalaya. However, the state is committed to digitizing them under the center’s NLRMP. Investing in real estate is beneficial in the long run, provided you make the decision after conducting adequate research and inquiries.Keep in mind the above information about Meghalaya land records. Also, keep in mind how Tata Capital’s home loan options can make it easier for you to plan the investment. We offer flexible EMI options, competitive housing loan interest rates, a hassle-free application process, and specialized customer care.

Say Hello to Your New Home with Our Easy Home Loans!

Apply now
Popular Searches
PMAY Calculator Home Loan for Government Employee Home Loan for Self Employed Home Loan for Women Home Loan Balance Transfer with Top Up Area Calculator Stamp Duty Calculator Home Loan Top Up Approved Housing Projects in India 12 Lakh Home Loan 15 Lakh Home Loan 25 Lakh Home Loan 30 Lakh Home Loan 35 Lakh Home Loan 40 Lakh Home Loan 45 Lakh Home Loan 60 Lakh Home Loan 65 Lakh Home Loan 70 Lakh Home Loan 75 Lakh Home Loan 80 Lakh Home Loan 85 Lakh Home Loan 90 Lakh Home Loan 1.5 Crore Home Loan 2 Crore Home Loan 2.5 Crore Home Loan 3 Crore Home Loan 4 Crore Home Loan
More About Loans
home loan Home Extension Loan Affordable Housing Loan Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Home Construction Loan Home Loan Balance Transfer Documents Required for Home Loan Home Loan Interest Rates Home Loan EMI Calculator Home Loan Eligibility 10 Lakh Home Loan 50 Lakh Home Loan 30 Lakh Home Loan 40 Lakh Home Loan

FAQs

Who is responsible for providing bhunaksha in Meghalaya?

The Survey Wing of the Directorate of Land Records and Surveys, Meghalaya is responsible for providing Bhunaksha (land maps) in the state.

Can you avail a Meghalaya land record online?

While Meghalaya is working towards digitising land records, the Directorate of Land Records and Surveys (DLRS), Meghalaya, currently provides land record details only through offline modes.

Who provides the official land map to the state of Meghalaya?

The Directorate of Land Records and Surveys, Meghalaya, collaborates with DLRS Shillong, which is responsible for supplying Bhunaksha (official land maps) to DLRS Meghalaya.

Can outsiders buy land in Meghalaya?

Land ownership in Meghalaya is restricted to tribal residents of the state, meaning outsiders cannot purchase land.

What are Meghalaya land records or Bhulekh Meghalaya?

Meghalaya land records refer to the documents of land ownership, boundaries, and land usage. Many Indian states have online Bhulekh systems, but there is no online Bhulekh in Meghalaya yet due to the state’s customary and community-based landholding system. 

Who owns land in Meghalaya?

Most land in Meghalaya is owned by indigenous tribal communities and governed by their customary laws. Tribal individuals, clans, or communities have land ownership instead of the state.

How to access Meghalaya land records? Are they available online or offline?

Meghalaya land records are available offline. You must approach the local Revenue Offices or the Directorate of Land Records and Survey for information or certified copies. Currently, there is no public online portal to search or download detailed land records in Meghalaya.

Which government department manages Meghalaya’s land records?

The Revenue and Disaster Management Department, through the Directorate of Land Records and Survey (DLRS), manages Meghalaya’s land records. It handles land surveys, record maintenance, and land-related administration across the state.

What are the legal restrictions on land purchase in Meghalaya?

Land purchase in Meghalaya is restricted for the Scheduled Tribes under customary laws and constitutional safeguards. Non-tribal inhabitants or outsiders cannot purchase land in the state. When it comes to tribal landowners, they must also follow local customs.

Disclaimer

Most Viewed Blogs

Trending Blogs

Calculator

Personal Loan EMI Calculator

Home Loan EMI Calculator

Business Loan EMI Calculator

Used Car Loan EMI Calculator

Two Wheeler Loan EMI Calculator

Loan Against Securities Calculator

Loan Against Property Calculator
More Tools
Our Subsidiaries
Our Private Equity Funds

Useful Links and Resources

Policies, Codes & Other Documents

Tata Capital Solutions & Services

Uh oh, something went wrong

Please try again later.

Most Important Terms & Conditions - Home Loans

Download in your preferred language

Download