The Delhi government is working on a plan to make property registrations fully paperless and faceless within the next five to six months, subject to necessary approvals. The plan would require changes in property registration rules after cabinet approval and subsequently needs to be passed in the Assembly. If it goes through on schedule, it could meaningfully change how property transactions work in one of India's most active real estate markets.
Where Things Stand Today
Delhi has already started using the National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS) for the registration of sale deeds, power of attorney, wills, and several other documents. The current system allows for online document submission, e-stamp payment, and appointment booking through the Delhi Online Registration Information System (DORIS), but the process remains largely manual. In other words, digitisation has begun but the physical visit to the sub-registrar office and manual verification steps are still part of the process for most buyers.
The move to make sale deeds paperless and faceless began many years ago but remained pending due to various reasons. Last year, the revenue department had roped in a consultant for the initiative but Assembly polls caused further delays. The government is now reportedly looking to hire a software firm to implement the plan, with a specific focus on curbing fraud connected to property transfers.
What a Paperless System Would Actually Change
For a property buyer in Delhi, the current process involves multiple steps — document preparation, stamp duty payment, booking an appointment, physically visiting the sub-registrar office, biometric verification, and then waiting for the registered deed. Each step carries its own friction, especially for buyers who are not based in Delhi or are purchasing as an investment.
A fully paperless and faceless system would mean the entire process — from document submission to registration — could potentially be completed online without a physical office visit. This matters for several reasons. It reduces the scope for middlemen and touts who have historically operated around sub-registrar offices. It makes the process more accessible for NRI buyers and investors. And it creates a more transparent, time-stamped digital trail for every transaction, which strengthens legal certainty around property ownership.
How Delhi Compares to Its Neighbours
It is worth noting that neighbouring Haryana has already moved ahead on this front. Paperless deed registration became mandatory across all 22 districts of Haryana from November 1, 2025, fully replacing the traditional system and making Haryana among the first states to achieve end-to-end online property registration. Delhi's move, if implemented, would bring the capital in line with what Haryana has already achieved for markets like Gurgaon and Faridabad.
What This Means for Real Estate Buyers
For anyone currently evaluating a property purchase in Delhi, this development is broadly positive. A streamlined, digital registration process typically reduces transaction costs, speeds up closing timelines, and adds a layer of security against title fraud. For investors managing multiple properties or NRIs buying remotely, the shift to a faceless system removes one of the most significant logistical barriers in the current process.
The key caveat is that the timeline depends on regulatory approvals — cabinet sign-off, Assembly passage, and then implementation by a software vendor. Five to six months is an optimistic estimate, and delays are possible given how long this initiative has already been in the pipeline. That said, the direction of travel is clear, and buyers and real estate professionals in Delhi should start familiarising themselves with what a digital-first registration process looks like, as Haryana's experience shows it is both workable and beneficial once fully in place. If you are looking to explore opportunities in the capital, you can explore properties in Delhi.
