Circle Rates in Delhi: Category-Wise
Delhi is unusual: while Gurgaon and Noida revised their circle rates in 2026, Delhi is still using rates notified back in 2014. That gap between the old circle rate and today's market price affects every registration in the city, and a hike is being discussed. This guide gives the current category-wise circle rates in Delhi for 2026, and what the proposed revision could mean.
How Delhi circle rates work
Delhi divides every colony into a category from A to H, with Category A being the poshest areas and Category H the most affordable. Each category has a fixed rate per square metre for land, and a separate multiplier for flats based on construction. Circle rate, also called the collector or ready reckoner rate, is the government's minimum value for registration, and stamp duty is charged on it or your sale price, whichever is higher.
Current category-wise rates
| Category | Example areas | Residential land rate |
|---|---|---|
| A (highest) | Vasant Vihar, Golf Links, posh colonies | Up to ₹7.74 lakh per sq metre |
| B to G | Defence Colony down to mid and affordable colonies | A descending scale between the two extremes |
| H (lowest) | Nand Nagri and similar | Around ₹23,280 per sq metre |
The two anchors are clear: Category A tops out near ₹7.74 lakh per sq metre, while Category H sits around ₹23,280, with categories B through G forming a descending scale between them. These are the September 2014 rates, which remain in effect. The exact figure for each category and colony is notified officially, so confirm your colony's category and rate with the sub-registrar before registering.
The proposed revision
Because the rates are over a decade old, they now sit well below market prices in many colonies, and a review is under way. A committee announced in 2025 is examining an increase of up to 35 percent and the addition of a new A+ category for the most premium colonies, though no revised notification has been issued yet as of 2026. For buyers, the practical point is to watch for a hike: if it lands, your stamp duty on a Delhi purchase will rise, since duty is charged on the circle rate when it exceeds the sale price.
Why this matters for your budget
Because Delhi's circle rates are old, in many colonies the market price is well above the circle rate, so you pay stamp duty on your actual, higher sale price. In a few pockets the reverse is true and the circle rate is the floor. Either way, check both numbers before budgeting. Our Delhi stamp duty guide shows how the 6 percent duty (4 percent for women) applies to whichever value is higher, and our circle rate versus market rate guide explains the gap.
How to use the circle rate
- Find your colony's category and the exact rate before budgeting stamp duty.
- Compare it with the market price, and pay duty on the higher of the two.
- Register in a woman's name for the lower duty on that value.
- Watch for the revision, since a hike would raise your registry cost.
Why old circle rates help buyers
Delhi's decade-old circle rates have an upside for buyers that the revised rates in Gurgaon and Noida do not offer. Because the circle rate in many Delhi colonies sits below today's market price, your stamp duty is charged on the actual sale price rather than an inflated government value, and in the pockets where the circle rate is genuinely low, the registry cost is modest. This is the reverse of Gurgaon, where the April 2026 hike pushed circle rates up sharply, raising duty even where the market was flat. The catch is that low circle rates also invite undervaluation attempts, where a deal is registered below the real price, which is illegal and risky, since the tax department can reopen an under-reported transaction. The clean approach is to register at the true price, pay duty on it, and keep the full transaction on record, especially with a revision that could raise rates under discussion.
Frequently asked questions
What is the circle rate in Delhi in 2026?
It depends on the colony's category, from around ₹7.74 lakh per sq metre in Category A areas like Vasant Vihar to about ₹23,280 in Category H areas like Nand Nagri, still on the 2014 rates.
Are Delhi circle rates being revised?
A review is under way, examining a hike of up to 35 percent and a new A+ category, but no revised notification has been issued yet. The 2014 rates remain in effect for now.
What are the circle rate categories in Delhi?
Colonies are graded A to H, with A the poshest and H the most affordable, each with its own rate per square metre for land and a multiplier for flats.
How does the circle rate affect my stamp duty in Delhi?
Stamp duty is charged on the higher of your sale price or the circle rate. Because Delhi's rates are old, in many colonies you pay on the higher market price.
Where do I check my colony's circle rate?
The Delhi Revenue Department portal and the sub-registrar office have the category and rate for each colony. Confirm your exact category before registering.
Will Delhi circle rates go up soon?
Possibly. A committee is examining a hike of up to 35 percent, which if notified would raise stamp duty on purchases. Watch for the official notification.
Delhi's circle rates still run on 2014 figures, from ₹23,280 to ₹7.74 lakh per sq metre by category, with a hike of up to 35 percent under review. Check your colony's category, compare it with the market price, and register in a woman's name to save duty. Read more on our blog. Rates are the current notified figures, so confirm officially before your registry.
