Odisha Govt Introduces New SOP for Part Plot Registration
New rules aim to simplify and unify land registration process across the state
Bhubaneswar : The Odisha government has rolled out a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to bring clarity, transparency, and uniformity to the registration of part plots across the state. Issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, the new SOP replaces all previous guidelines and provides clear directions under the Registration Act, 1908, and the Odisha Registration (Amendment) Act, 2013.
The move seeks to eliminate inconsistencies among registering officers and ensure a smoother experience for citizens dealing with land transactions.
In rural regions, registration of part plots is now allowed without any pre-condition, except for land classified under Jalasaya Kissam (water bodies). Such plots can only be transferred as full plots and subdivided into areas not exceeding 500 square metres. This change aims to prevent fragmentation of ecologically sensitive land while easing registration for other rural holdings.
In urban zones, the SOP permits part plot registration without requiring prior written approval from development authorities or town planning bodies in specific cases. It applies to family sub-divisions, small sub-divisions where the plots are below 500 square metres and not intended for real estate purposes, and co-sharer divisions where all co-sharers provide consent and receive proportionate shares. This measure is expected to simplify land transfers within families and among co-owners, reducing bureaucratic delays and ensuring clarity in urban land ownership.
The government has also allowed registration of part plots of agricultural land, provided that the land retains its agricultural Kissam (classification). Applicants must submit a self-declaration in Form D, confirming that the land will continue to be used exclusively for agricultural purposes. This ensures that agricultural land is not diverted for non-agricultural activities through partial registrations.
Plots smaller than 500 square metres, which were recorded before the 2025 Odisha Development Authority (ODA) and Odisha Town Planning and Improvement Trust (OTP & IT) Second Amendment Rules, can now be registered without restriction, provided they comply with other applicable laws.
A one-time exemption is introduced for sub-divided plots below 500 square metres, regardless of the size of the original landholding, as long as the new plot is not used for any real estate project. Additionally, co-sharers are allowed to divide jointly owned land among themselves with mutual consent. The total sub-divided area must not exceed 500 square metres, and each co-sharer will receive land proportionate to their share. This exemption covers both jointly inherited and jointly self-acquired properties.
To maintain transparency and prevent misuse, registering officers have been instructed to thoroughly verify maps, boundaries, and self-declarations before approving registrations. They must ensure compliance with exemption norms and retain all declarations as part of official records.
By introducing this SOP, the Odisha government aims to make land registration simpler, faster, and more citizen-friendly, while preserving the integrity of land records and preventing misuse of small or agricultural plots.
