Agri Land Rules Karnataka 2026

If you have spent any time researching farmland near Bangalore, you have probably heard conflicting things: "Only farmers can buy agricultural land in Karnataka" or "The rules changed recently" or "79A means you cannot buy." Most of this information is outdated or outright wrong.

This guide is written for 2026. It covers what actually changed, what the current law says, what documents you still need, what land conversion involves, and what the proposed 79A/79B reinstatement means for your purchase plans. Everything here is based on the Karnataka Land Reforms Act, the 2020 and 2025 amendments, and the current regulatory landscape as of May 2026.

• The 2020 repeal of Sections 79A, 79B, and 79C — what it means for buyers
• Who can buy agricultural land in Karnataka right now (2026)
• What documents are still required despite the rule change
• DC conversion: when and why you need it, and 2025 amendments
• 79A/79B reinstatement debate — current status
• Freshness-corrected misinformation circulating in 2026

1. What Changed: The 2020 Karnataka Land Reforms Amendment

On 13 July 2020, the Government of Karnataka promulgated Ordinance No. 13 of 2020, which received assent as the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 2020 on 28 September 2020. This was the most significant change to Karnataka's agricultural land ownership rules in six decades.

The amendment did three things:

1. Repealed Sections 79A, 79B, and 79C entirely. Section 79A previously barred individuals with non-agricultural income exceeding Rs 25 lakh per year from buying agricultural land. Section 79B barred companies, trusts, educational institutions, and societies from holding agricultural land. Section 79C dealt with penalties for falsely claiming agriculturist status. All three are gone.
2. Raised the land ceiling. Under Section 63, the ceiling for individuals and families of up to 4 members increased from 10 units to 20 units. Families with 5+ members can hold up to 40 units. (1 unit = approximately 1.33 acres in dry zone areas.)
3. Added SC/ST protections (Section 80-A). Agricultural land held by SC/ST members cannot be transferred to non-SC/ST buyers without government permission under the Karnataka Prevention of Alienation of Certain Lands Act.

Approximately 13,814 pending forfeiture cases under the old 79A/79B provisions were dismissed.

2. What Changed When: Timeline of Karnataka Land Law

3. Who Can Buy Agricultural Land in Karnataka Now (2026)

The 2020 omission of Sections 79A/79B does not create a complete buyer-eligibility list. Review each buyer and transaction under current law:

• Persons resident in India — former agriculturist-status and income bars were omitted, but ceilings, grants, tenancy, classification, land use, title and transaction-specific restrictions remain.
• Companies, trusts, and societies — do not infer eligibility from the 79B omission alone. Entity objects, beneficial ownership, land ceiling, land use and other state and central rules need independent review.
• Non-resident Indians (NRIs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) — cannot directly purchase agricultural land under the ordinary FEMA route. This central restriction applies regardless of the 79A/79B repeal. Inheritance and later transfers have separate rules; a resident relative, spouse, company, trust, nominee, or power of attorney does not create purchase eligibility. Obtain independent, transaction-specific FEMA advice. For more context, see our NRI farmland guide.

4. Documents You Still Need to Buy Agricultural Land

The 79A/79B repeal removed the eligibility barrier, but it did not remove the documentation requirement. You still need a thorough set of documents to register and protect your ownership. Skipping any of these can leave you exposed to title disputes, classification errors, or enforcement action.

• RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) — The single most important document. Available on the Bhoomi portal (landrecords.karnataka.gov.in). Confirms current ownership, land classification (agricultural, dry, wet), and any tenancy or encumbrance.
• Encumbrance Certificate (EC) — 30 years — Shows every registered transaction: sales, mortgages, gifts, court orders. Get this from the Sub-Registrar's office or online through Kaveri portal. If the EC has gaps, treat it as a red flag.
• Mutation Extract — The revenue department's record of ownership transfer. Confirms that the seller's name appears in the revenue records. Must match the RTC.
• Mother Deed / Title Deed Chain — Traces ownership back at least 30 years. Every transfer in the chain must be accounted for. Missing links in this chain are the most common source of title disputes.
• Survey Sketch (11E Sketch) — Maps the exact boundaries of the land. Compare this against the physical boundaries on site. Mismatches between the sketch and the RTC area are a warning sign.
• Revenue Map and Tippani — Shows survey numbers, boundaries, and any government reservations or classifications that affect the land.
• Family Tree / Family Member Certificate — Establishes that the seller has sole right to sell, or that all co-owners have consented. Especially important for inherited properties.

For a complete document-by-document verification walkthrough, see our guide to understanding RTC, EC, and farmland documentation.

5. DC Conversion: What It Is and 2025 Amendments

Buying agricultural land gives you the right to own agricultural land. It does not give you the right to build on it, start a business on it, or use it for any non-agricultural purpose. For that, you need DC (Deputy Commissioner) conversion under Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964.

DC conversion involves:

1. Applying to the Deputy Commissioner of the district where the land is located
2. Providing the RTC, EC, survey sketch, and a site plan
3. Paying conversion fees (varies by zone — near Bangalore: Rs 30-80 lakh per acre)
4. Receiving a conversion order that changes the land classification from agricultural to residential/commercial/industrial

6. The 79A/79B Reinstatement Debate: Where Things Stand

In August 2024, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah publicly announced the state government's intent to restore Sections 79A and 79B of the Karnataka Land Reforms Act. Proponents argue the 2020 repeal enabled speculative land accumulation, driving agricultural land prices beyond the reach of actual farmers. Opponents counter that the original provisions were corruption-prone (agriculturist certificates were routinely forged) and that DC conversion adequately protects agricultural land from non-agricultural misuse.

The published 2020 amendment omitted Sections 79A, 79B and 79C. Because legislation can change, confirm the current Act, Gazette notifications and any parcel-specific restrictions with a Karnataka property lawyer immediately before signing or paying.

• The repeal is not blanket approval — residency, FEMA, ceilings, grant conditions, tenancy, land use, acquisition notices, title and survey issues may still affect a transaction.
• Do not predict retroactivity — only the text and commencement provisions of a future enacted law could determine how it applies.
• Check primary sources — review the current India Code text, Karnataka Gazette and legislature records rather than relying on social posts or sales material.
• Review the specific parcel — a lawyer and surveyor should verify the seller, deed chain, encumbrances, revenue records, access, boundaries and permitted use.

We recommend consulting a registered legal advisor before making purchasing decisions, especially given this regulatory uncertainty. For a detailed legal walkthrough covering both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, see our comprehensive farmland buying legal guide.

7. Correcting Common Misinformation (2026)

Social media, WhatsApp forwards, and even some legal consultation websites still cite pre-2020 rules. Here are the most common pieces of outdated information and the current reality:

Karnataka's 2020 amendment omitted former Sections 79A/79B. Buyer and parcel eligibility still require current review, and FEMA applies to non-residents. Laws may change; consult independent legal and tax advisers for your facts.