Patna: The Bihar government has introduced a fixed time-bound mechanism to correct errors in digital land and property registration, setting clear deadlines ranging from three to seven days depending on the stage of correction, with an overall maximum resolution period of 22 days.
The move, outlined in a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Department of Prohibition, Excise and Registration, aims to address persistent technical glitches and public grievances in the registration system. Officials say the framework is designed to ensure faster grievance redressal and greater transparency in record management.
Under the revised system, errors identified in digitised property records—such as clerical mistakes, incorrect data entry, spelling errors in names, or inaccuracies in Khata and Khesra numbers—can now be corrected by regional registration offices. The SOP also covers technical issues including scanning errors, cropped or unclear PDF uploads, and mismatched document pages.
However, officials clarified that corrections involving discrepancies in original physical documents will still require a formal corrective deed or deed of cancellation, and cannot be directly altered in the digital record.
Dr Sanjay Kumar, Deputy Inspector General of Registration, has issued formal instructions to all Divisional Assistant Inspectors General of Registration, District Sub-Registrars, Sub-Registrars, and project managers, directing immediate implementation of the SOP across the state.
The SOP also establishes strict internal accountability timelines. Registration officers must complete preliminary inquiries within seven days. Divisional Assistant Inspectors General are required to carry out verification, approval, and issue final orders within another seven days. Departmental officers must forward cases to the next stage within three working days, while system integrators will be responsible for completing digital updates within five working days.
All original and revised digital records will be securely preserved. System integrators must also submit quarterly reports on modifications, and an annual IT audit has been made mandatory to ensure compliance and data integrity.
At the same time, the SOP imposes strict prohibitions on unauthorised changes. Alterations to registration numbers, dates, or the legal status of parties are not permitted. Any modification without approval from competent authorities will be treated as a violation of IT security protocols and will attract punitive action.
Officials say the revised framework is intended to streamline the registration process while reducing disputes and improving accountability in land record management across Bihar.
