Bhu Bharati Update: New Mandatory LPM Rules for 2026

The landscape of land ownership in Telangana has officially shifted. As of February 2026, the traditional way we look at survey numbers is changing forever. Under the Telangana Bhu Bharati (Record of Rights in Land) Act, 2025, the government has introduced a “digital-first” approach to prevent double registrations and land litigation.

If you are planning to buy, sell, or gift land in Telangana this year, there is one term you must master: LPM (Land Parcel Map).

What is the LPM number? (The 11-Digit Bhudhaar)

Unlike the old system where multiple owners might share one survey number, the LPM provides a unique digital identity to every specific plot of land. Think of it as an “Aadhaar Card for Land.”

This 11-digit Bhudhaar is generated using drone surveys and satellite imagery. It records the exact latitude and longitude (geo-coordinates) of your property. If your land doesn’t have a verified LPM, it effectively doesn’t exist in the eyes of the new registration software.

Why LPM is Mandatory for Registration in 2026

In 2026, the IGRS TS and Bhu Bharati portals have been integrated. When you attempt to book a slot for a Sale Deed, the system now asks for the Permanent Bhudhaar ID.

Here is why this is a “gatekeeper” rule:

1. Overlap Prevention: The system will automatically reject a registration if the GPS coordinates of your plot overlap with a neighbor’s record.
2. Area Verification: If your old paper documents say 2 acres, but the drone survey shows 1.95 acres, the registration will only happen for the verified 1.95 acres.
3. Ghost Property Elimination: It removes the possibility of “paper-only” lands that don’t exist on the physical ground.

The Upcoming “Cut-Off” Date: What You Need to Know

Sources from the Revenue Department suggest that a final cut-off date is approaching (tentatively by mid-2026). After this date, registrations based solely on legacy survey numbers will be completely disabled.

Landowners who have not yet transitioned from a temporary Bhudhaar to a permanent Bhudhaar must act now. To do this, you must initiate a “Mobile App Survey” request through your local Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) or a licensed private surveyor authorized by the CCLA.

Step-by-Step: How to Secure Your LPM Number

If your land record is showing as “Pending Geo-Referencing” on the Bhu Bharati portal, follow this expert workflow:

1. Login to Bhu Bharati: Use your Aadhaar-linked mobile number to access the portal.
2. Check Status: Navigate to ‘Land Details Search’ and enter your survey number. If the Bhudhaar status is ‘Temporary,’ you need a survey.
3. Apply for Spot Verification: Use the ‘Rectification & Survey’ module to request a field visit.
4. The Drone Audit: A government-empanelled surveyor will visit your land to mark the physical boundaries (boundary stones are critical here!).
5. Issuance of LPM: Once the data is uploaded and verified by the Tahsildar, a permanent 11-digit ID is generated, and your LPM map is available for download.

Expert Take: A Note from Srinivas Reddy

“The era of ‘approximate’ boundaries is over. In 2026, your land is only as secure as its digital coordinates. My advice to every landowner is to check your LPM status immediately. Don’t wait for a sale transaction to find out your records are locked or flagged under Section 22-A. Digital clarity is your best defense against future litigation.”

Frequently Asked Questions