Telangana Government Eases 22A Land Registration: NALA Permission Rules Updated

In a significant move to resolve long-standing property disputes, the తెలంగాణ ప్రభుత్వం (Telangana Government) announced on October 3, 2026, a decision to streamline the registration process for residential lands classified under the 22A prohibited list. This decision specifically targets patta lands that have already been converted to residential use but were previously ineligible for registration due to a lack of formal Non-Agricultural Land Assessment (NALA) permission.

Simplified Registration for 22A Residential Lands

The government has now allowed the registration of these residential patta lands without requiring a separate, prior NALA permission, provided the applicable NALA fee is paid. This initiative aims to provide permanent relief to thousands of middle-class families and property buyers who have been stuck in bureaucratic loops for decades.

To implement this, the government issued guidelines to all district collectors, emphasizing that eligible applications must be processed within a stipulated time limit to ensure the completion of registrations for qualifying plots, flats, and apartments [1].

Key Orders and Eligibility Criteria

The తెలంగాణ ప్రభుత్వం has released five key orders (referred to as Jeevanlu) and specific memos, including memo no. 48062/ULC/A1/2026, to facilitate this process [2]. Direct registration rights are now granted to 22A properties that have already obtained approvals from the following authorities:

• Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)
• Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA)
• Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP)
• Various Municipal approvals

Resolving Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) Cases

Beyond the NALA waiver, the government is addressing the broader issue of Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) cases. A high-level committee has been constituted to study and resolve ULC applications that have remained pending for decades. This comprehensive action plan, driven by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, seeks to grant legal ownership rights to those whose properties were caught in the ULC net but meet the current criteria for regularization [3].

Important Legal Cautions for Buyers

While this decision reduces bureaucratic hurdles, property owners and buyers should note the following:

• Legal Status: The decision eases registration but does not automatically alter the underlying legal status of the land; ownership remains subject to existing title documents and any pending litigation.
• Other Clearances: The waiver applies specifically to NALA permission. Other statutory requirements, such as building plan sanctions and environmental clearances, remain mandatory.