Gujarat Tops India in SVAMITVA Drive with 18.5 Lakh Rural Property Cards

Gandhinagar | Gujarat — For generations, countless rural families across India lived on ancestral land without formal ownership documents, leaving them vulnerable to disputes and unable to leverage their properties for financial growth. That reality is rapidly changing in Gujarat, which has emerged as the country’s frontrunner in implementing the SVAMITVA Scheme, a landmark initiative that uses drone technology to provide legal ownership records to village residents.

The state’s performance has set a national benchmark, with Gujarat accounting for more than half of all property cards generated during the second phase of the scheme across India. Officials say the initiative has not only strengthened property rights but also opened doors to economic opportunities that were previously out of reach for many rural households.

Under Phase-II of the SVAMITVA Scheme, conducted during 2021-22, drone surveys were carried out in 58,197 villages nationwide, resulting in the creation of over 32.35 lakh property cards. Gujarat alone conducted drone surveys in 14,900 villages and completed the promulgation process in 11,511 villages, leading to the preparation of an impressive 18.50 lakh property cards—the highest figure recorded by any state in the country.

“The use of drone technology and GIS-based mapping has brought unprecedented transparency and accuracy to rural property records,” officials associated with the implementation process said. “The scheme is helping villagers secure legal ownership while reducing disputes related to land boundaries and property claims.”

The success of the initiative has been driven by close coordination between the Survey of India, the Gujarat Revenue Department and the Gujarat Panchayati Raj Department. The digitisation and verification of property records have enabled authorities to address several long-pending ownership conflicts, creating greater confidence among rural residents.

Among Gujarat’s districts, Mehsana leads the state with 1,66,504 property cards issued, followed by Ahmedabad with 1,53,125 cards. Kheda, Banaskantha and Anand have also crossed the milestone of one lakh property cards each, reflecting widespread progress across rural regions.

Beyond legal recognition, the scheme is reshaping rural economies. Property cards issued under SVAMITVA have enabled villagers to use their properties as financial assets for accessing institutional credit. In Gujarat, beneficiaries have reportedly secured loans of up to ₹50 lakh based on these ownership documents, supporting entrepreneurship, education and livelihood opportunities.

Officials note that the initiative has particularly benefited women and economically weaker sections by strengthening their financial standing and asset ownership. To ensure broader participation and awareness, more than 14,000 Gram Sabhas have been organised across the state.