Maharashtra has made successful Aadhaar authentication mandatory for everyone involved in property registration, removing the earlier fallback that allowed a witness or identifier to verify a person when authentication failed. The revised process took effect on November 4 and is expected to change how buyers, sellers and other parties prepare for appointments at sub-registrar offices in Pune and elsewhere in the state.
The state registration and stamps department has integrated the new process into iSARITA 1.9, its registration platform. The system adds face verification through the official UIDAI mobile application to the existing fingerprint and iris-scanning methods, registration officials said. The facility is known as Online Verification Seeking Entity, or OVSE.
Under the revised rules, every person involved in a property transaction must complete Aadhaar authentication successfully before the registration can proceed. The discontinuation of the witness or identifier-based alternative means that a failed authentication can no longer be resolved through another person’s verification, according to the department’s instructions reported by Punekar News.
Citizens have been advised to complete the initial preparation before visiting a sub-registrar office. This includes downloading the official Aadhaar app, completing SIM verification and registering for face authentication. The app requires Android 9.0 or later, or iOS 16 or later, along with an active internet connection and a functioning camera.
At the registration office, the computer system will generate a QR code. The individual must scan the code through the Aadhaar app, provide consent and complete face authentication. The result will appear instantly on the office computer, allowing the registration process to continue when authentication is successful.
Deputy inspector general of registration Abhay Mohite said Aadhaar holders must be physically present with their registered mobile phones during the verification process. They must also be able to log in using their six-digit PIN. People who have locked their Aadhaar biometrics will need to unlock them through the app before authentication.
The revised process makes digital readiness a direct part of property registration. A person may need to address several issues before reaching the office, including access to the registered mobile number, app compatibility, internet connectivity, camera functionality and the status of biometric locking. These requirements apply to all parties involved in the transaction rather than only the principal buyer or seller.
The department has instructed registration officials to guide citizens on the authentication procedure, data-sharing requirements and consent. It is also sharing a video tutorial through its social media platforms to familiarise users with the new facility.
For citizens with upcoming registration appointments, the department’s immediate instruction is to complete app registration and face authentication in advance, carry the registered mobile phone to the office and ensure that Aadhaar biometrics are unlocked where necessary. The new OVSE process will remain part of the registration workflow from November 4 onward.
