Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule has highlighted a significant relief for farmers under the Registration Act, 1908. The Revenue Department issued a notification making registration of partition deeds of agricultural land completely free of registration fee when executed among co-holders or family members under Section 85 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966.
The official notification (No. RGN-2025/C.R.45/M-1(Policy)), published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette (Extraordinary) on 23 June 2025, amends the Table of Fees. It inserts Note 73 after Note 72 in Article-I:
“Note 73.— No Registration fee shall be chargeable on the instruments of partition of agricultural land executed by the co-holders under section 85 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 (Mah. XLI of 1966) and on the instruments of partition of agricultural land executed between the family members, subject to the following conditions…”
Key conditions and scope
- The exemption applies only to instruments of partition of agricultural land under Section 85 of the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966.
- It covers partitions executed by co-holders as well as those between family members.
- No refund will be given if any party had already paid the registration fee before the notification was published in the Gazette.
- The benefit is limited strictly to agricultural land partitions under the specified provision; it does not extend to non-agricultural property or other types of documents.
Earlier Position
Previously, registration of partition deeds (like most instruments under Article I of the Table of Fees) attracted an ad-valorem fee — typically calculated on the market value of the separated shares, subject to a maximum of ₹30,000. This cost often discouraged formal registration of family partitions, leading to informal arrangements, future disputes, and difficulties in updating 7/12 extracts or ownership records.
Stamp duty on partition of agricultural land remains nominal (generally ₹100 under the Maharashtra Stamp Act). The new exemption removes the registration fee component entirely for qualifying cases, significantly lowering the overall cost of formalising family or co-holder partitions.
Impact for Farmers and Rural Families
This measure aims to make the process of dividing ancestral or jointly held agricultural land more convenient, transparent and economically viable. By eliminating the registration fee burden, it encourages proper documentation, helps prevent inheritance-related disputes, and supports clearer ownership records. Farmer families can now complete partitions without the earlier financial strain of registration charges (which could go up to ₹30,000).
Subsequent clarifications have reinforced that the waiver applies whether the partition process is handled through tehsildar offices (under Section 85) or documents are presented directly for registration at Sub-Registrar offices, provided the land is agricultural and the parties qualify.
Important notes for implementation
- Parties should ensure the instrument clearly relates to agricultural land and falls under Section 85 of the MLRC 1966.
- Proper drafting, acceptance by all parties, and compliance with other legal requirements (including any applicable stamp duty) remain necessary.
- Always verify the latest position with the local Sub-Registrar or through the official IGR Maharashtra resources, as additional local levies or procedural requirements may apply in specific cases.
This 2025 notification forms part of the state government’s broader efforts to reduce the cost of legitimate land transactions for farmers and promote formal registration of family partitions of agricultural holdings.
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