Maharashtra Takes Landmark Digital Leap: Government Grants Full Legal Status to Online 7/12, 8A and Ferfar Land Records

Delhi: In a major push toward paperless governance, the Maharashtra government has officially granted complete legal validity to digitally issued 7/12 extracts, 8A records and mutation (Ferfar) documents. These digital copies—secured with digital signatures, QR codes and a unique 16-digit verification number—will now be accepted for all government-related work, eliminating the need for traditional stamped copies.

Announcing the decision on Thursday, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said the state has rolled out a new framework under the Maharashtra Land Measurement and Record Keeping Act, 2025, ensuring that land documentation becomes simpler, faster and tamper-proof.

Bawankule called it a “historic milestone” in Maharashtra’s e-governance journey.
“No more queues, no more dependence on middlemen. Extracts like 7/12, 8A and Mutation will now carry digital signatures and can be obtained for just ₹15. This brings trust through technology and guarantees transparency, speed and ease of business,” the minister said.

New Rules to Modernise Land Administration

As per the government’s resolution, fresh rules have been framed to standardise land measurement, update village land records and ensure seamless access for citizens. The process for applying for corrections or fresh copies of land documents has been simplified through two routes:

• Online: Via the Mahabhumi Digital Portal
  (digitalbaliraja.mahabhumi.gov.in)
• Offline: Through the Village Revenue Officer (Gram Mahsul Adhikari) or the Tahsildar’s office

Officials say the new system will drastically reduce manual paperwork and eliminate the long-standing challenges residents faced while obtaining authenticated records.

Importance of 7/12, 8A and Ferfar Records

The state government also highlighted the role of these documents in rural land governance:

Ferfar / Mutation: A document reflecting updated ownership after sale, inheritance or transfer.

7/12 Extract: A combined record showing land ownership, survey details and agricultural usage—crucial for loans, sales and dispute resolution.

8A Extract: A “Khata” summarising a landholder’s ownership rights, revenue liabilities and payment history.