As the Minister of Revenue and Land Reforms in Bihar, I am honoured to lead a department that forms the bedrock of our state’s socio-economic framework under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the visionary guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Land is not merely an asset in Bihar; it is the foundation of livelihoods, heritage, and progress. Since assuming this role in February 2025, my team and I, in alignment with the state government’s commitment to transformative governance, have prioritised reforms to modernise the land management system.
These initiatives, rooted in digital innovation and citizen-centric policies, aim to eliminate inefficiencies, reduce disputes, and empower millions with secure property rights. They resonate with PM Modi’s ambitious vision for a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Nitish Kumar’s relentless pursuit of a prosperous, inclusive Bihar. In this article, I highlight our key achievements, their impacts, and how they contribute to the shared vision of a developed India.
Aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047
PM Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, articulated in his historic 103-minute Independence Day speech on 15 August 2025 from the Red Fort, envisions India as a $35 trillion economy by its centennial independence, leading globally in technology, defence, and inclusivity. He urged every institution and individual to work toward this goal, emphasising self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), innovation, and citizen empowerment. In Bihar, Nitish Kumar’s government has embraced this vision, driving policies that blend technological advancement with grassroots development. His leadership has been instrumental in transforming Bihar from a state of challenges to one of opportunities, with land and water reforms serving as critical pillars. Our initiatives in the Revenue and Land Reforms Department align seamlessly with PM Modi’s call for a developed India and Nitish Kumar’s focus on equitable growth, ensuring Bihar contributes significantly to the Viksit Bharat mission.
Empowering citizens with technology
Under the state government’s digital-first approach, championed by Nitish Kumar, we have accelerated the Bihar Bhumi portal, a flagship platform that reflects PM Modi’s Digital India vision and Bihar’s commitment to ease of living. This portal enables landowners to access, verify, and update records remotely, streamlining processes like mutation and ownership verification.
In February 2025, we extended the self-declaration window for plot details until February 2026, allowing citizens to provide their ownership details, plot numbers and areas to update Khatian (record of rights) and online land record. This has allowed the processing of thousands of applications while reducing corruption and backlog, mirroring the state government’s focus on transparency and PM Modi’s success with national schemes like Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Bihar’s pioneering Integrated Land Record Management System with Spatial Mutation portal, the first in India to automatically update land maps with property transactions, enhances transparency and reduces disputes, contributing to the Viksit Bharat goal of efficient governance. A statewide toll free helpline — 18003456215 — for land related issues has also been launched, facilitating information and complaint redressal and bringing government close to masses.
The Rajaswa Maha Abhiyan, launched on 16 August and running until 20 September, is a testament to Nitish Kumar’s emphasis on grassroots governance. This door-to-door campaign, which has seen the distribution of over 23 lakh Jamabandi (land register) copies and correction forms so far, leverages GIS mapping and drone surveys for precision. Panchayat-level camps with laptops ensure real-time data entry, making services accessible in remote areas and embodying PM Modi’s last-mile connectivity ethos and Bihar’s inclusive development model. Integrated with the Bihar Bhumi portal, the campaign allows citizens to track applications, fostering trust and participation, which are the key tenets of both Viksit Bharat and Nitish Kumar’s citizen-led governance.
To amplify outreach, we engaged PR professionals to leverage social media platforms like X and Meta aligning with PM Modi’s innovative communication strategies and Nitish Kumar’s focus on public engagement. This has educated Biharis on land rights, driving transparency and participation, much like the state’s successful awareness campaigns for schemes like Saat Nishchay.
Gazetteer-cum-Atlas of Water Bodies
On 7 May this year, Bihar, under Nitish Kumar’s visionary Jal-Jeevan-Hariyali Mission, became the first Indian state to launch the Gazetteer-cum-Atlas of Water Bodies, mapping over 550 rivers, 4,500 wetlands, and 1.06 lakh ponds with Unique Identification Numbers (UIDs). This initiative, inspired by water body depletion in Darbhanga, supports PM Modi’s Jal Jeevan Mission and Viksit Bharat’s sustainability goals, as well as Nitish Kumar’s environmental agenda. Enriched with historical, socio-economic, and environmental data, the atlas aids anti-encroachment efforts, plans new ponds in water-scarce areas, and strengthens water conservation. It aligns with PM Modi’s praise for the Jal Jeevan Mission’s success in providing tap water to about 15.7 crore rural households and Nitish Kumar’s focus on sustainable rural development, positioning Bihar as a model for water resource management.
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Structural reforms for a robust ecosystem
Beyond digitalisation, the state government has prioritised structural reforms to support PM Modi’s vision of a streamlined, self-reliant governance framework and Nitish Kumar’s goal of administrative efficiency. The Bihar Amin Cadre Rules, 2025, enforced in August, reorganise amins’ cadres with seniority lists and performance-based promotions, ensuring a skilled workforce for land surveys. This supports the statewide survey, extended to December 2026, covering 661 villages with GPS and drone technology to update cadastral maps and resolve disputes. These efforts echo PM Modi’s push for institutional reforms, as seen in his Task Force for Next-Generation Economic Reforms, and Nitish Kumar’s focus on disciplined governance.
Our district-wise ranking system, introduced in April 2025, evaluates performance on mutation efficiency and revenue collection, with Sheikhpura leading the state. This fosters competition and efficiency, aligning with PM Modi’s call for accountability and Nitish Kumar’s emphasis on performance-driven administration. We have also addressed disruptions like the recent survey workers’ strike, reflecting the state government’s resolve for uninterrupted progress, a principle shared with Viksit Bharat.
Impact and alignment with shared visions
These reforms — digital platforms, water atlas, and structural changes — have reduced litigation, improved revenue collection, and enhanced economic opportunities, particularly for farmers. Accurate land records and mapped water bodies facilitate access to loans, subsidies, and irrigation, supporting PM Modi’s vision of empowering small farmers (85 per cent of India’s agrarian population) and Nitish Kumar’s agricultural development goals. The PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, targeting 100 backward farming districts, finds synergy in our efforts to strengthen Bihar’s agrarian backbone, contributing to India’s global food security leadership and Bihar’s economic resilience.
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A vision for inclusive, self-reliant growth
Our initiatives are deeply rooted in PM Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision and Nitish Kumar’s transformative leadership, which together envision a technologically advanced, economically robust, and inclusive Bihar within a developed India. We are exploring AI-driven analytics for the Bihar Bhumi portal to predict and resolve disputes, with voice-assisted services for non-digital natives, aligning with PM Modi’s innovation focus and Nitish Kumar’s inclusivity agenda. Collaborations with panchayat bodies, supported by groups like the Bihar State Panchayat Secretary Union, ensure grassroots involvement, mirroring the Janbhagidari ethos of Viksit Bharat and Bihar’s participatory governance model.
In conclusion, Bihar’s land and water reforms are a vital step toward PM Modi’s dream of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and Nitish Kumar’s vision of a prosperous Bihar — a state where every citizen is empowered, resources are secure, and governance is transparent. I urge Biharis to engage with the Bihar Bhumi portal, follow our updates on social media, and join us in building a self-reliant state that contributes to India’s global leadership. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities for a brighter, developed Bharat.
Sanjay Saraogi is the Cabinet Minister for Revenue and Land Reforms, Government of Bihar, and BJP MLA from Darbhanga.
This article is co-written by Adarsh Ashok, ex-NITI Aayog Young Professional and political consultant, and Aditya Ashok, an IT professional associated with BJP’s in-house consultancy.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)