**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Defence announces the Defence Estates Day Celebrations on December 16, 2025, at Raksha Sampada Bhawan, Delhi Cantonment. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will preside over the event and confer the Raksha Mantri Awards for Excellence. The celebration marks the department's 100th year and showcases advancements in land management.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Anniversary and Awards:**
* The Defence Estates Day Celebrations will be held on December 16, 2025.
* Raksha Mantri will present awards for Excellence in public service.
* The event marks the department's 100th anniversary.
* **Historical Significance:**
* The department's legacy dates back to 1765 with the establishment of the first Cantonment in Barrackpore.
* The Department of Land and Cantonments was formalized on December 16, 1926.
* **Modernization and Digital Transformation:**
* The Defence Estates Department manages the largest landholding under the Ministry of Defence.
* The department has successfully implemented the E-Chhawani project.
* Legacy land records have been completely digitized for preservation.
* The department has modernized file management system with nationwide adoption of secure technology.
* **Technological Advancements:**
* "Raksha Bhoomi" serves as the unified repository for defence land records.
* Land survey competency is enhanced through advanced technologies.
* A Centre of Excellence leverages AI/ML for defense land management solutions.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Cantonment Boards**
* **Impact:** Awards for Excellence will be presented to recognize public service in Defence Land Management and Municipal Administration across 61 Cantonment Boards.
* **Action Required:** Not specified.
**Stakeholder: Cantonment Residents (20 lakh)**
* **Impact:** Benefit from online access to 100% of municipal services through the E-Chhawani project.
* **Action Required:** Utilize the online platform for accessing municipal services.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Defence**
* **Impact:** The Defence Estates Department's advancements in land management and digital transformation contribute to the Ministry's overall modernization efforts.
* **Action Required:** Continue supporting the Department's initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The primary government body overseeing the Defence Estates Department and its functions.
Defence Estates Department: Department managing Defence land and modernization initiatives.
E-Chhawani project: Project providing online municipal services to Cantonment residents.
Raksha Bhoomi: Centralized software platform for defense land records.
Delhi Cantonment: Location of the Raksha Sampada Bhawan and the Defence Estates Day celebrations.
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri to grace Defence Estates Day
celebrations as the Department enters its 100th
year
प्रव तथ: 15 DEC 2025 5:33PM by PIB Delhi
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will preside over the Defence Estates Day Celebrations at Raksha
Sampada Bhawan, Delhi Cantonment on December 16, 2025. He will confer the Raksha Mantri Awards
for Excellence in public service in the field of Defence Land Management and Municipal Administration
of 61 Cantonment Boards spread across the country.
This year’s celebrations hold special significance as the Department steps into its 100th year,
commemorating a legacy that traces its origins to 1765, when the first Cantonment was established in
Barrackpore, West Bengal. Over the subsequent century and a half, cantonments such as Danapur (1766),
Meerut (1803), Ambala (1843), Delhi (1915) etc followed, laying the foundation of Defence and Land
Administration in India. The Department was later formalised on December 16, 1926 as the Department of
Land and Cantonments under the Ministry of Defence.
The Defence Estates Department today manages the largest landholding of the Government of India under
the Ministry of Defence. While steeped in history, the Department has undertaken an exceptional
modernisation journey, transforming itself into a pioneer in digital and tech-enabled land management.
The Department has successfully implemented E-Chhawani project by providing 100% municipal services
online to 20 lakh Cantonment residents. The Department’s efforts towards water conservation and
rejuvenation of water bodies has been acknowledged at the highest level as it received the National Water
Awards for Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari.
The Department has undertaken complete digitisation of legacy land records, ensuring their preservation
for the future. Entire File Management system has been modernised with Nationwide adoption of a secure,
technology-backed file management system enabling seamless retrieval and safe archival. A centralised
software platform ‘Raksha Bhoomi’, hosted on secure servers, now serves as the unified repository of all
defence land records.
The Department has developed core competency in Land Survey with extensive adoption of Continuously
Operating Reference Stations-enabled Differential Global Positioning System, Geographic Information
System-based tools, and high-resolution satellite imagery to strengthen accuracy. A Centre of Excellence
on Satellite and Unmanned Remote Vehicle Initiative, leveraging Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
and emerging technologies to build next-generation solutions for defence land management.
***
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