Why in news?
The Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas (SVAMITVA) scheme has achieved major milestones. The government reported that millions of rural households have received property cards, and drone surveys have covered most Indian villages.
Background
Launched on National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April 2020, SVAMITVA is a Central Sector scheme that aims to give rural property owners a legal record of their residential land (abadi land). It uses high‑resolution drone surveys and Geographic Information System (GIS) technology to map houses and community assets in villages. The Survey of India is the technical partner, while the Panchayati Raj Ministry implements the scheme in cooperation with state governments.
The scheme empowers villagers by providing a digital property card that serves as a Record of Rights. Holders can use it as collateral for loans, resolve boundary disputes, and access welfare schemes. Mapping also supports better planning of roads, drainage and other infrastructure.
Implementation and progress
- Drone mapping: Survey‑grade drones fly over village settlements to capture georeferenced images. A Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) network provides accurate coordinates. These images are processed to create orthomosaic maps and property boundaries.
- Property cards: After ground verification and community participation, each household receives a digitally signed property card. As of early 2025, over 65 lakh cards had been distributed across more than 50,000 villages.
- Coverage: Most states and union territories have joined the scheme. Drone surveys have covered around 92% of India’s 6.62 lakh villages, and more than two crore property cards have been prepared for issuance.
- Benefits: Property cards help villagers secure bank loans, reduce disputes, and enable accurate property taxation. Panchayats gain detailed maps for planning, and women’s names are included on cards to promote gender equality.
Challenges and way forward
Awareness campaigns are needed to explain the scheme’s benefits and procedures to villagers. States must update land laws and ensure that property cards are recognised for transactions. Building a nationwide CORS network and training local survey teams remain ongoing tasks. Overall, the scheme is expected to transform rural land governance and increase economic opportunities.
