Tamil Nadu unveils reforms to modernize registration services

The Tamil Nadu government has announced extensive reforms to its Registration Department to modernize property and document registration services. A key component of the plan is the establishment of 25 Model Registration Hubs in major districts, including North, Central, and South Chennai, Chengalpattu, and Coimbatore North. These hubs aim to reduce congestion and queues at traditional sub-registrar offices.

To enhance efficiency, high-volume offices will receive additional staff and advanced scanning technology to allow for the immediate return of registered documents. The government is also introducing digital improvements, such as the instant online delivery of marriage, society, and chit-fund registration certificates.

Technical upgrades include a Rs 1.66-crore project with IIT Madras to improve the security and stability of the STAR registration software. Additionally, the state will implement API-based integrations to enable real-time verification of death and legal-heir certificates, as well as direct updates from the HR&CE department and Wakf board to prevent fraudulent transactions on barred lands. Starting September 15, certain loan-related title-deed registrations will become mandatory through a presenceless system, followed by a move toward paperless registration for settlement and partition deeds by October 15.