LBSNAA and DoLR Launch NAKSHA Programme Workshop to Transform Urban Land Governance

In a significant step towards modernizing India’s land administration, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), in partnership with the Department of Land Resources (DoLR), Ministry of Rural Development, inaugurated a two-day National Training-cum-Workshop on the NAKSHA Programme at Mussoorie on October 6, 2025. The event, organized by the B.N. Yugandhar Centre for Rural Studies, aims to build administrative and technical readiness among India’s District Magistrates and Collectors for the nationwide rollout of this transformative initiative.

A Landmark Step Toward “One Nation, One Land Record”

The NAKSHA Programme is a pioneering one-year pilot initiative under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP). It is designed to bring transparency, efficiency, and accessibility to urban land governance through advanced geospatial mapping and data analytics. The initiative envisions a future where every parcel of urban land is digitally mapped, authenticated, and integrated into a unified national framework.

By leveraging cutting-edge Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and Web-GIS tools, NAKSHA aims to eliminate ambiguity in ownership, streamline property taxation, and establish a robust foundation for urban planning and governance. It aligns closely with the national goal of creating “One Nation, One Land Record,” ensuring uniformity and accuracy in land data across states and cities.

Insights from Key Dignitaries

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Manoj Joshi, Secretary, Department of Land Resources, underscored the programme’s transformative potential in establishing transparent, updated, and accessible urban land records. He emphasized that accurate digital land mapping is central to improving citizen services, resolving disputes, and facilitating smart urban growth.

The workshop also features technical sessions by key experts including Shri Kunal Satyarthi, Joint Secretary, DoLR, and Shri S. K. Sinha, Additional Surveyor General, Survey of India. Institutions such as the Madhya Pradesh State Electronics Development Corporation (MPSEDC) and the National Institute of Geo-informatics Science and Technology (NIGST), Hyderabad, are providing specialized technical insights on digital mapping and geospatial data management.

Practical Guidance from Senior Administrators

To complement the technical sessions, several senior civil servants are sharing practical experiences and best practices. Speakers include Shri S. Sambasiva Rao, Director of Survey and Land Records, Government of Kerala; Shri N. K. Sudhansu, Director General, Yashwantrao Chavan Academy of Development Administration (YASHADA); and Shri S. Chockalingam, Principal Secretary, Government of Maharashtra. Their sessions focus on the implementation challenges of land digitization, legal frameworks, and public awareness strategies essential for local-level success.

Key Workshop Highlights

1. Comprehensive Overview: Participants receive a full understanding of NAKSHA’s structure, workflow, deliverables, and ground-truthing methodologies.

2. Technical Training: District officers are trained in GIS and Web-GIS platforms, with live demonstrations on GNSS/ETS-based survey techniques for mapping land parcels.

3. Field Application and Data Accuracy: Sessions highlight aerial data acquisition, precision mapping, and integration of geospatial datasets for high-fidelity land records.

4. Administrative and Legal Frameworks: Officers learn about the regulatory protocols, inter-departmental coordination, and awareness campaigns necessary for smooth rollout.

Preparing the Nation’s Districts for the Digital Land Revolution

The two-day training seeks to equip district administrators with the technical competence and strategic insight needed to execute the NAKSHA Programme effectively. By combining technology-driven tools with on-ground administrative expertise, the programme represents a leap forward in India’s digital transformation of land governance.

As NAKSHA scales beyond its pilot phase, it promises to empower citizens, reduce litigation, and enable smart infrastructure planning—a decisive move toward transparent, modern, and citizen-centric land management.