The SoG’s work helps understand and unlock fundamental constraints to urban and infrastructure development, housing and property markets, and public finances through reform and innovation of land systems.
This work focuses on:
Legal, policy, and institutional assessments across the rural–urban continuum.
Real estate regulation.
Designing advanced land and property information systems.
Designing policies for improved land management and citizen services.
Featured Projects
Concept Note on Land Administration in Delhi (2017)This diagnostic concept note supported enhancing land administration for the Government of Delhi. It assessed the land administration system, identified gaps, and made recommendations and action plans to improve property registration. This included a diagnostic framework to review registration and mutation processes and formed the basis for a technical assistance programme for systematic improvement in delivering property registration services. IIHS also conducted secondary research analysis covering all processes relating to the transfer of property, including registration and mutation. The project was funded by World Bank.
Customary Tenure in Meghalaya (2019)The project supported policy dialogue on integrating customary tenure into formal land systems in Meghalaya. IIHS carried out a diagnostic analysis of customary tenurial rights with social legitimacy and formal recognition. The team conducted desk reviews and primary research in the Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills. They examined constitutional law, the role of traditional institutions, legal recognition of tenurial rights, and the effects of land acquisition laws on community rights. The project was funded by the World Bank.
Digital Land in Uttar Pradesh (2019-2020)This project aimed to understand and document land records modernisation initiatives in Uttar Pradesh, analysing the Digital Land project, especially the system of allocating unique numbers to each plot and its interlinkages. IIHS, as a special invitee to the High-Power Committee on Urban Records, supported the implementation of urban property ownership records, especially for vertical properties. The work involved secondary research and consultations with government officials in Lucknow and Noida to map initiatives in land records modernisation, land record management, and computerisation of registration.
Knowledge partnership with the All India Forum for Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (AIFORERA) (2020-2022)This partnership involved analysing information on Real Estate Regulatory Authorities (RERA) policies and their adoption, identifying best practices, and benchmarking initiatives. IIHS also provided secretarial support to AIFORERA’s functions and analysed state-level information on RERA implementation, including accessibility and functionality of websites, provisions for dispute resolution, and the extent and growth of the regulated real estate sector. Additionally, IIHS organised monthly webinars for AIFORERA.
Land records and land governance project (2017-2020)The project worked to improve land administration through research, policy advisory, training, and capacity building. The objectives included training stakeholders, especially government officials; offering policy support to state governments; and organising multi-stakeholder dialogues. IIHS provided policy support to Delhi (improving property registration for Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) ranking), Chandigarh (improving land records and land development strategy), Uttar Pradesh (urban property records alternatives) and Maharashtra (using drones for city surveys). The project was funded by the Omidyar Network.
Land Records Modernisation and e-Governance Initiatives (2014-2015)The project assessed national- and state-level efforts for land records modernisation, examining legal and institutional aspects nationally and in Karnataka, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar and Gujarat. Field analysis focused on select urban centres within three states. The study explored integration of survey, land records and registration functions; legislative changes; property transaction ease through the Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) framework; modernisation status; transition processes; and consequences of consolidation, particularly regarding technology interfacing. The project was funded by Omidyar Network.
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