Department of Land Resources and World Bank Discuss Collaboration on Land Governance Reforms

**Executive Summary** On 15 June 2026, the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) and a World Bank delegation met in New Delhi to discuss collaboration on land governance reforms. The meeting focused on leveraging technology to modernize land administration, enhance financial inclusion, and support the vision of "Viksit Bharat." Key action items include the potential development of an India-specific framework to assess and benchmark land reforms across States. **Key Points / Main Content** **Strategic Importance of Land Governance** * Land is identified as a critical productive asset for Indian households, essential for agricultural productivity, rural prosperity, and economic growth. * Modern, transparent, and technology-enabled systems are required to secure property rights and improve access to institutional credit. * Improved land governance is linked to enhancing the "ease of living" for citizens and supporting investment. **Technological Integration and Innovation** * The Department aims to leverage emerging technologies, including geospatial systems, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital platforms. * Emphasis is placed on data-driven governance tools to improve service delivery and land administration. * The DoLR is working toward the interoperability of land-related digital systems to create an integrated ecosystem. **Current Initiatives and Programs** * Ongoing projects include the modernization of land records, survey and resurvey activities, and the creation of urban property records. * The Department is also focused on watershed development and continuous capacity building based on national and international best practices. **Framework for Reform and Collaboration** * Discussions included developing an India-specific framework to benchmark land governance progress across different States. * The framework is intended to facilitate evidence-based policy interventions and the dissemination of best practices. * The World Bank shared international experiences regarding property governance, institutional strengthening, and technology adoption. **Impact Analysis** **Department of Land Resources (DoLR)** **Impact:** The Department will benefit from international expertise and technology-driven strategies to modernize land administration. **Action Required:** Reaffirm commitments to work with knowledge partners and implement frameworks for assessing State-level reforms. **Indian Citizens and Households** **Impact:** Citizens stand to gain from more secure property rights, better access to credit, and more efficient, transparent digital land services. **Action Required:** No direct action is required, though citizens will eventually interface with modernized, digital land record systems. **State Governments** **Impact:** States will likely be subject to a new assessment framework to benchmark their progress in land governance reforms. **Action Required:** States must implement reform initiatives and adopt best practices to meet the proposed national benchmarking standards. **World Bank** **Impact:** The World Bank acts as a strategic knowledge partner, influencing Indian land policy through global best practices. **Action Required:** Provide expertise in policy research, support capacity building, and share international experiences in land administration.

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