Delhi's GPA Property Crackdown 2026: 30-Day Scrutiny on Power of Attorney Deals Explained

For decades, a big slice of Delhi's property changed hands on a general power of attorney, a "GPA", instead of a proper registered sale deed. It saved sellers and buyers on stamp duty, and it left a trail of weak title and disputes. Delhi is now moving to end that. From this month, non-family GPA property deals face a mandatory 30-day scrutiny by the Collector of Stamps. Here is exactly what changed, and what it means if you are buying, selling or holding property in Delhi.

Key takeaways

• A GPA made in favour of anyone who is not a close blood relative will no longer be registered directly.
• Every such case now goes to the Collector of Stamps, who has 30 days (extendable to three months in exceptional cases) to decide the correct stamp duty.
• If the GPA actually transfers property, mentions money, hands over possession, or gives permanent power to sell, it will be treated as a sale deed and charged full stamp duty.
• Sub-registrars who register a GPA without this referral face disciplinary action. An online tracking system is being built.

What exactly changed

Delhi's government has ordered rigorous examination of property documents executed through GPA. The core rules:

• Non-family GPAs get referred. If the GPA is in favour of someone other than parents, spouse, children or siblings, the sub-registrar cannot register it directly. It must go to the Collector of Stamps for adjudication.
• 30-day decision. The Collector issues a written, reasoned decision within 30 days, extendable to a maximum of three months in exceptional cases, on whether the document is a genuine GPA or a disguised conveyance that attracts full stamp duty.
• What they check. Whether the document mentions any payment, hands over possession, is irrevocable, or gives permanent authority to sell, gift, transfer or mortgage the property. Any of these signals a real transfer, not a simple authority.
• Accountability. Sub-registrars who skip the referral face disciplinary action. Each office keeps a dedicated register and files monthly reports, and an online tracking system is to be built within a month.

Why the government is doing this

Two reasons: money and fraud. On money, many "GPA" documents were registered by paying only a nominal stamp duty, even though they were really sales, handing over possession and ownership. That is direct stamp duty evasion, and it costs the government large sums. On fraud, GPA deals are the soft underbelly of Delhi property, forged GPAs, GPAs from people who never owned the property, and double sales all hide in this space. By forcing scrutiny, the government hits both problems at once.

What it means for buyers

This is the part that matters most, and the message is simple: do not buy property on a GPA. Insist on a registered sale deed. We have said this for years, and now the government agrees strongly enough to act.

• A GPA "sale" was always weak, it conveys no real ownership, banks will not lend on it, and resale is hard. Now it also faces official scrutiny and possible full stamp duty.
• If a seller offers you a property on GPA at a "discount", that discount is the stamp duty and the risk you are being asked to swallow. It is not a bargain.
• The Supreme Court already held years ago that GPA sales do not convey title. This Delhi move adds enforcement teeth on top.

Everything in our document verification checklist and property frauds guide applies doubly now. Buy on a registered deed, verify the title chain, and walk away from GPA offers.

What it means for owners holding GPA property

If you already hold a property on a GPA, this is a nudge to fix your title. The cleaner path is to get a proper registered sale deed executed and pay the correct stamp duty, which converts your weak GPA holding into real, loanable, sellable ownership. Yes, it costs the stamp duty you avoided earlier. But it removes a risk that only grows as enforcement tightens, and it makes your biggest asset actually yours on paper. For inherited or family situations, the family-relative exemption may apply, check your specific case.

The honest view

• Good for honest buyers. A market with fewer GPA deals is a safer market. This protects people who do things properly.
• Short-term friction. The 30-day scrutiny will slow some registrations and add paperwork. That is the cost of cleaning up.
• Family deals largely spared. GPAs among close blood relatives are treated differently, so genuine family arrangements are less affected.
• The direction is clear. Between this, the drone property survey and the encroachment drive, Delhi is formalising its property market. Expect more scrutiny, not less. Do your deals cleanly.

FAQ

What is Delhi's new GPA rule?

Non-family GPA property documents can no longer be registered directly. They go to the Collector of Stamps, who decides within 30 days whether full sale-deed stamp duty applies.

Does this apply to GPAs between family members?

GPAs in favour of close blood relatives, parents, spouse, children, siblings, are treated differently and are not referred the same way. The scrutiny targets non-family GPAs.

Why is the government scrutinising GPA deals?

To stop stamp duty evasion, many GPAs were really sales dressed up to pay less duty, and to curb land fraud, which thrives on GPA misuse.

Should I ever buy property on a GPA?

No. A GPA conveys no ownership, banks will not lend on it, and it now faces official scrutiny. Always insist on a registered sale deed.

I already own property on a GPA. What should I do?

Get a proper registered sale deed executed and pay the correct stamp duty to convert it into clean, loanable ownership. Check whether any family exemption applies to your case.

Buying in Delhi and unsure about a property's paperwork? We help buyers avoid GPA traps and verify clean title before they pay. Browse our listings or reach out with your deal.