India digitizes land records with drones and Bhu-Aadhaar for 40 crore parcels

India has made significant strides in digitizing its land record system, with over 99% of records now computerized and georeferenced. Each land parcel is being assigned a unique 14-digit identifier called Bhu-Aadhaar, covering more than 40 crore parcels across the country. The government is deploying drones for accurate urban land mapping through a dedicated initiative known as the NAKSHA program. Together, these efforts form a comprehensive digital land architecture intended to improve property identification and transparency. The broader goal is to promote inclusive economic growth and expand access to formal credit by establishing clear, verifiable land ownership.