Land Reforms (Agriculture).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Economic & Social Development; Mains GS3
Land reforms for UPSC: colonial tenures, zamindari abolition, tenancy reform, ceiling laws, Operation Barga, Bhoodan, consolidation, DILRMP, SVAMITVA and PYQs.
On 10 September 2026 the Rural Development Minister launched operational guidelines for DILRMP 3.0, a central sector scheme of ₹565.50 crore for 2026 to 2031. It will build a GIS-based Land Stack, give every land parcel a 14-digit Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN) and turn 75 high-footfall sub-registrar offices into Registration Seva Kendras.
UPSC angle: Prelims: ULPIN digits. · Mains: Conclusive land titling.
10 Sep 2026
SVAMITVA gives property owners in rural inhabited (abadi) areas a Record of Rights, the Panchayati Raj Minister told Rajya Sabha on 5 August 2026. Drone surveys with CORS technology create high-accuracy maps. Drone survey is complete in 3.30 lakh villages, and 11,147 loans worth ₹1,713 crore have been given against SVAMITVA property cards.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SVAMITVA tech.
5 Aug 2026
The 11th Agriculture Census, with reference year 2021-22, began in 2022 and has completed field work and data collection for all three phases on time, the Agriculture Ministry told Parliament on 21 July 2026. The census runs every five years with States and Union Territories.
UPSC angle: Prelims: census periodicity.
21 Jul 2026
At a review of the Department of Land Resources on 8 May 2026, the Centre outlined DILRMP 3.0 and the proposed Land Stack. DILRMP 3.0 covers computerised records, ULPIN, Aadhaar seeding, revenue courts, Core GIS and urban mapping pilots. Land Stack aims at quick, accurate land valuation, helping banks speed up loans. WDC-PMKSY 3.0 will use MIS and GIS monitoring.
UPSC angle: Prelims: DILRMP, ULPIN.
8 May 2026