What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the 'first land survey period' (1890-1930) to test historical context, or confuse ULPIN with other IDs like Aadhaar or Property Card numbers. They might also swap the committee head (Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue)) with the minister (Revenue Minister).

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 2,12,76,499 (Approx 2.12 crore sub-divisions created between 1992-Dec 2024) 2. Target this Nodal Body: Settlement Commissioner, Pune (Rolling out the pilot) 3. Target this Legal Point: Record of Rights (7/12 extract) - The document being reconciled with maps

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News 22 of 24

Maharashtra Government Launches Drive to Measure 2.13 Crore Agricultural Land Sub-divisions and Assign Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN) Numbers

Q: The 'Bhu-Aadhaar' (ULPIN) initiative in Maharashtra is being implemented under the primary oversight of which state department?

Department of Revenue, The article clearly states the initiative is launched by the Maharashtra government's Revenue Department. The high-level committee is also chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue). Land records and surveys are a state subject under the Revenue Department.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding Maharashtra's 'Bhu-Aadhaar' drive: 1. It aims to assign a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) to each agricultural plot. 2. The physical measurement drive seeks to update land maps to match the Records of Rights (7/12 extracts). 3. The first comprehensive land survey in the state was conducted between 1901 and 1947.

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 and 2 are correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect because the first land survey was conducted between 1890 and 1930, not 1901-1947. This is a classic trap testing attention to historical dates.

Q: As per the news article, approximately how many new land sub-divisions were created in Maharashtra between 1992 and December 2024, leading to record discrepancies?

About 2.12 crore, The article specifies the exact figure: 'around 2 crore 12 lakh 76 thousand 499' new land sub-divisions. The closest approximation is 'About 2.12 crore'. Other options are distractors.

Q: What is the primary expected outcome of Maharashtra's initiative to assign 'Bhu-Aadhaar' (ULPIN) to agricultural land?

To create a single reference point for land data and reduce disputes, The core objective, as stated, is to use ULPIN as a single reference point for all land-related information (like Aadhaar) and to reduce land disputes by reconciling maps with records. While other options may be indirect benefits, the primary and direct outcome is the creation of a unified, accurate digital land database.

Polity AgricultureHIGH

Target:MPSCUPSC GS-IISSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

07 Feb 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:2 crore 12 lakh 76 thousand 499 land sub-divisions1890-1930 first land survey1992-December 2024

Bodies:Maharashtra Revenue DepartmentSettlement Commissioner, PuneAdditional Chief Secretary (Revenue)

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.Maharashtra initiates physical measurement of agricultural land sub-divisions (pot hisse) to assign a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or 'Bhu-Aadhaar'.

2.The drive aims to correct mismatches between land maps and 7/12 extracts, a legacy issue from the first land survey (1890-1930) and over 2.12 crore sub-divisions created since 1992.

3.This is a strategic move to reduce land disputes, ensure transparent transactions, and facilitate easier access to crop insurance, bank loans, and government welfare schemes for farmers.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Maharashtra has launched a massive drive to physically measure agricultural land sub-divisions and assign a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) or 'Bhu-Aadhaar' to each plot. This aims to resolve decades-old discrepancies between land maps and Records of Rights (7/12 extracts), which cause disputes and hinder access to credit and schemes. For exam aspirants, this is a critical case study in land record modernisation under the Digital India initiative and its impact on rural economy and social justice.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

New Sub-divisions (1992-2024)2,12,76,499 (approx. 2.12 crore)

First Land Survey Period1890 to 1930

Project Oversight Committee HeadAdditional Chief Secretary (Revenue)

Pilot Project LocationSelected areas, rolled out from Pune

1-Minute Revision

›New Sub-divisions (1992-2024): 2,12,76,499 (approx. 2.12 crore)
›First Land Survey Period: 1890 to 1930
›Target this Data: 2,12,76,499 (Approx 2.12 crore sub-divisions created between 1992-Dec 2024)
›Target this Nodal Body: Settlement Commissioner, Pune (Rolling out the pilot)
›Target this Legal Point: Record of Rights (7/12 extract) - The document being reconciled with maps

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News Snapshot

🏷️

Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN)

Maharashtra is assigning a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) to every agricultural plot, akin to an Aadhaar number for land.

📐

Physical Measurement Drive

A statewide initiative to physically measure sub-divisions (pot hisse) of agricultural land to update records and resolve discrepancies with 7/12 extracts.

⚖️

Reducing Land Disputes

The core objective is to clearly define boundaries, reduce litigation, and streamline access to credit, insurance, and government schemes for farmers.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Land records in India, especially the 'Record of Rights' (known as 7/12 extract in Maharashtra), have been plagued by inaccuracies since the first land survey (1890-1930). Over decades, sub-divisions through sale, inheritance, and partition have created over 2 crore new parcels without corresponding physical measurements, leading to a vast gap between maps and textual records. This has been a major source of rural distress, litigation, and a barrier to institutional finance and government benefits.

Core Analysis & Implications

The 'Bhu-Aadhaar' (ULPIN) initiative is a direct intervention to create a single, authoritative source of truth for land ownership. By digitising and geo-referencing every parcel, it addresses the core issue of 'fuzzy' boundaries. This has profound implications: it reduces transaction costs, empowers farmers with verifiable titles (enhancing the 'Ease of Doing Farming'), and integrates land data with other databases for seamless delivery of subsidies, insurance, and loans. It strengthens the legal framework for land rights, a key component of social justice.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Following the pilot in selected areas, the project will be scaled statewide. Its success could serve as a model for other states, accelerating the national goal of conclusive land titling and the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP). Future steps may include integrating ULPIN with the National Generic Document Registry (NGDR) and court systems to further reduce litigation. The involvement of private surveyors sets a precedent for public-private partnership in governance.

Key Facts at a Glance

New Sub-divisions (1992-2024)2,12,76,499 (approx. 2.12 crore)

First Land Survey Period1890 to 1930

Project Oversight Committee HeadAdditional Chief Secretary (Revenue)

Pilot Project LocationSelected areas, rolled out from Pune

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

The 'Bhu-Aadhaar' (ULPIN) initiative in Maharashtra is being implemented under the primary oversight of which state department?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding Maharashtra's 'Bhu-Aadhaar' drive:

1. It aims to assign a Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) to each agricultural plot.

2. The physical measurement drive seeks to update land maps to match the Records of Rights (7/12 extracts).

3. The first comprehensive land survey in the state was conducted between 1901 and 1947.

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking

As per the news article, approximately how many new land sub-divisions were created in Maharashtra between 1992 and December 2024, leading to record discrepancies?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary expected outcome of Maharashtra's initiative to assign 'Bhu-Aadhaar' (ULPIN) to agricultural land?

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Maharashtra Government Launches Drive to Measure 2.13 Crore Agricultural Land Sub-divisions and Assign Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN) Numbers

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Bhu-Aadhaar (ULPIN)

Physical Measurement Drive

Reducing Land Disputes

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance