The Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code of 2006 aimed to consolidate and simplify the
existing land revenue laws in Uttar Pradesh by bringing together 39 separate acts into a
single code, providing a streamlined system for land record management, settling boundary
disputes, and regulating land transfers, while also protecting the rights of marginalized
groups like Scheduled Castes and Tribes; essentially, its primary objective was to modernize
land management practices and ensure efficient revenue collection in the state.
This Act is of great importance for the state as it repeals a number of obsolete laws, almost
32 legislation in number, enacted during the British regime; many of which are inconsistent
with one another. Acting as a uniform code, the Act consolidates and amends the laws
relating to land-tenures, i.e. The U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, and
land revenue, UP Land Revenue Act, 1901, in the State and speeds up the disposal of the
revenue cases by creating a Revenue Court for disposal of cases relating to matters provided
under this Act
Historical Background of the Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 2006
The Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 2006 was enacted to consolidate and streamline
land revenue laws in the state. It replaced multiple outdated laws and aimed to provide a
uniform legal framework for land administration, revenue collection, and dispute resolution.
1. Pre-Independence Era:
o During British rule, land revenue was a major source of income for the government.
Several regulations, such as the Permanent Settlement (1793), Ryotwari System, and
Mahalwari System, were introduced to control land revenue collection.
o The United Provinces Land Revenue Act, 1901, played a crucial role in shaping revenue
laws in Uttar Pradesh (formerly United Provinces).
2. Post-Independence Reforms:
o After independence, the Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950, was enacted
to eliminate intermediaries and establish a direct relationship between the government
and cultivators.
o Several amendments and laws were introduced to regulate land tenure, revenue
collection, tenancy rights, and land records.
o Due to fragmented and overlapping laws, there was a need for a comprehensive and
modern legal framework for land administration.
3. Enactment of the Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 2006:
o To unify, modernize, and simplify land revenue laws, the Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue
Code, 2006, was introduced.
o It repealed and replaced several older laws, such as the U.P. Land Revenue Act, 1901,
and parts of the U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950.
Need for a New Land Revenue Code
By the early 2000s, the land revenue system in Uttar Pradesh was plagued by:
Overlapping and outdated laws from the colonial and post-independence era.
Complex and inefficient land administration, leading to disputes and corruption.
Lack of digital land records, making transactions and ownership verification difficult.
Need for a single, comprehensive legal framework to streamline land revenue
governance.
Key Laws Replaced by the 2006 Code:
The Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 2006, repealed and consolidated multiple laws,
including:
1. U.P. Land Revenue Act, 1901
2. U.P. Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950 (partially)
3. Other minor land revenue regulations and amendments
The new code modernized and simplified land revenue laws while integrating digital record-
keeping, efficient dispute resolution, and governance mechanisms.
Aims of the Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 2006
The main objectives of the Uttar Pradesh Land Revenue Code, 2006, are:
1. Uniformity in Land Revenue Laws:
o To bring consistency and uniformity in land revenue regulations and procedures across
Uttar Pradesh.
2. Efficient Land Administration:
o To streamline processes related to land records, survey, settlement, and revenue
collection.
o To improve transparency in mutation, partition, and consolidation of land.
3. Dispute Resolution and Governance:
o To establish clear legal provisions for resolving land disputes efficiently.
o To define the role of revenue officers and authorities in settling land disputes.
4. Protection of Landowners and Tenants:
o To safeguard the rights of farmers, tenants, and landholders by providing legal clarity on
land tenure and ownership.
5. Digitization of Land Records:
o To facilitate the modernization and digitization of land records for better accessibility
and transparency.
6. Regulation of Land Use:
o To prevent illegal land encroachments, misuse of agricultural land, and unauthorized
land transactions.
7. Simplification of Revenue Procedures:
o To make revenue-related procedures less cumbersome and promote ease of doing
business in the land sector.
. Key Areas of Applicability Today
a) Land Record Digitization and Transparency
The Bhu-Lekh (Online Land Record System) in Uttar Pradesh is governed by the
provisions of this Act.
It enables landowners to access their land records digitally, reducing fraud and
disputes.
Example: A farmer in Lucknow can now check his land ownership details online
through the UP Bhu-Lekh portal instead of relying on manual records, which were
previously prone to tampering.
