SVAMITVA Scheme: Benefits & Implementation

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The SVAMITVA scheme is a revolutionary initiative by the Indian government that aims to provide legal ownership rights to rural property owners. The scheme utilizes advanced technology such as drones and GIS-based mapping to issue property cards to millions of rural households, thereby addressing a long-standing issue of unclear land ownership in villages. By streamlining property rights and empowering villagers economically, the scheme has gained significant traction since its launch in 2020.
In this article, we will explore what the SVAMITVA scheme is, its benefits, and how it is implemented, along with its current progress.
What is the SVAMITVA Scheme?
The SVAMITVA scheme stands for Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas. Its primary objective is to create a “record of rights” for rural properties, thereby issuing property cards to households in villages.
- Launched: April 24, 2020, on National Panchayati Raj Day by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- Technology Used: Drone-based surveys to map rural inhabited (abadi) areas, resulting in GIS-based maps for each village.
- Property Cards: These are official legal documents that confirm ownership of properties in villages.
The distribution of property cards started on October 11, 2020. As of January 2025, over 2.25 crore rural property owners have received their property cards.
Benefits of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The SVAMITVA scheme provides numerous benefits to rural residents, which include economic empowerment, better governance, and facilitation of financial services.
- Economic Empowerment for Villagers:
- Rural households can use their property cards as collateral to secure loans and other financial assistance.
- With access to formal credit, many families have started small businesses or invested in farming, leading to economic growth and security.
- The scheme has been particularly beneficial to small and medium farmer families who now have economic stability.
- Property Tax Collection for Gram Panchayats:
- In states where Gram Panchayats are authorized to collect property taxes, the scheme facilitates the assessment and collection of taxes.
- This increases the revenue of Gram Panchayats, which can be reinvested in local development and infrastructure.
- Accurate Land Records for Rural Planning:
- The scheme paves the way for better rural planning by creating precise and up-to-date land records.
- Accurate property records reduce land disputes, simplify construction permits, and prevent illegal encroachments.
- Village-level maps and property records (available as Gram Manchitra) are vital for effective governance.
- Enhanced Liquidity of Rural Properties:
- By providing legal ownership, the property cards enhance the market value and liquidity of land parcels in villages.
- It allows rural residents to buy, sell, or lease properties with confidence and transparency.
Implementation of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme involves a multi-stage process carried out in partnership with the Survey of India (SoI) and respective state governments.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
- Each state signs an MoU with the Survey of India to begin the implementation process.
- The SoI uses cutting-edge technology such as drones, satellite imagery, and UAVs for mapping and surveying.
- CORS Network Establishment:
- A Continuously Operating Reference System (CORS) is set up, which consists of reference stations for high-accuracy GPS mapping.
- The CORS network provides critical data for geo-referencing, ground control points, and land demarcation.
- Village Survey and Awareness Campaigns:
- Villages to be surveyed are identified, and residents are made aware of the process.
- The abadi (inhabited) areas of villages are marked using limestone before drone surveys begin.
- Drone Surveys and Map Creation:
- Drones conduct large-scale surveys of rural areas, capturing high-resolution images.
- Based on this data, GIS-based maps are created at a scale of 1:500.
- Verification and Dispute Resolution:
- Maps are verified on the ground by drone survey teams.
- Any disputes or objections raised during this phase are resolved to ensure accuracy.
- Issuance of Property Cards:
- Once the mapping is finalized, property cards (also called Sampatti Patrak) are generated.
- These cards are distributed to property owners either digitally or as physical copies.
Progress of the SVAMITVA Scheme
The SVAMITVA scheme has made significant strides since its inception.
- Pilot Phase:
- Initially implemented as a pilot project in 1 lakh villages across 9 states, including Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Current Coverage:
- As of January 2025, drone surveys have been completed in over 3.17 lakh villages, covering 92% of the targeted 6.62 lakh villages.
- Full saturation has been achieved in Puducherry, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Tripura, Goa, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.
- Economic Significance:
- Over 67,000 sq. km of rural abadi land has been surveyed, with an estimated value of Rs. 132 lakh crore.
- Global Recognition:
- The government plans to showcase the success of the SVAMITVA scheme on international platforms in 2025, including the World Bank Land Governance Conference in Washington.
- This will promote the use of advanced drone and GIS technologies for land governance worldwide.
Conclusion
The SVAMITVA scheme is a transformative initiative aimed at empowering rural India by granting legal ownership rights to property owners. By using drone technology and GIS-based mapping, the scheme is addressing long-standing issues of unclear land ownership, enabling economic growth, and improving governance in rural areas.
With millions of property cards already distributed, the scheme has become a beacon of rural empowerment and a model for land governance globally. As the scheme progresses toward its goal of covering all villages in India, it stands as a testament to the power of technology-driven governance.
Practice Questions
- How does the SVAMITVA scheme contribute to economic empowerment and financial inclusion in rural India? (250 words)
- Analyze the technological and administrative steps involved in the implementation of the SVAMITVA scheme. What challenges might arise in this process? (250 words)
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