The Telangana government has issued a fresh directive to fast-track the review of thousands of pending Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) applications. Through Memo No. 48062/ULC/A1/2026-1, the Revenue Department ordered officials to examine unresolved cases under four specific Government Orders and regularise eligible properties. This move aims to clear a decade-old backlog, allowing affected residents to finally establish clear property rights and proceed with real estate transactions.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Memo Number | 48062/ULC/A1/2026-1 |
| Government Orders Covered | 455, 456, 747, and 92 |
| Pending Applications | Thousands (no exact total reported) |
| Assembly Assurance | September 16, 2026 |
Revenue Department Orders Fast-Track ULC Reviews
The newly issued Revenue Department memo directs officials to immediately begin examining pending ULC applications filed under Government Orders 455, 456, 747, and 92. According to the state government’s instructions, all eligible applications must be regularised in strict accordance with existing rules.
Revenue Minister Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy acknowledged the scale of the issue, stating that thousands of applications have remained pending for years. The minister noted that earlier orders issued in 2016 to dispose of ULC applications had ultimately failed to resolve the administrative backlog.
The directive is part of a broader State effort to address systemic issues linked to Section 22-A of the Registration Act, which restricts the registration of certain disputed or ceiling-surplus properties.
What ULC Regularisation Means for Property Owners
For decades, the inability to process these applications has created severe difficulties for applicants seeking to establish unencumbered property rights. Unresolved ULC status directly blocks owners from executing legitimate property transactions, including sales, transfers, or securing mortgages.
Applicants with pending files under the four named GOs are the primary group affected by this review. By verifying these cases against Telangana land records, the government hopes to restore transactional freedom. Once an application is found eligible and the required procedures are completed, prospective buyers and current owners will finally benefit from a clear title.
Impact on HMDA and GHMC Property Registrations
The announcement holds particular significance for Hyderabad, where the majority of these ceiling surplus claims are concentrated. The minister confirmed that the review will cover eligible houses, plots, and flats situated in 22-A restricted properties.
Crucially, this applies to properties that have previously secured valid building and layout permissions from the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), other urban local bodies, or the Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP).
“The long-pending applications had made it difficult for applicants to establish property rights and carry out transactions.”
Origins of the Section 22-A Registration Block
The properties in question fall under the framework of the Urban Land Ceiling Act. Because these lands were historically flagged under ceiling limits, they were subsequently placed on the prohibited properties list under Section 22-A of the Registration Act to prevent unauthorized sales.
The current push for resolution follows an explicit assurance given by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in the State Assembly on September 16, 2026. Fulfilling that promise, the government has also constituted a high-level committee specifically dedicated to untangling the complex web of Section 22-A land registration issues across the state.
Next Steps for Applicants Awaiting GO Clearance
Under the new memo, revenue officials are tasked with pulling the pending files, completing the required verification procedures, and taking final action on cases that qualify for regularisation.
However, the government has not yet specified a final completion deadline for this statewide review, nor has it published an official count of the exact number of files to be cleared. Applicants are advised to watch for further departmental instructions and case-specific notifications from local revenue offices.
Reality Check
The issuance of this memo does not automatically guarantee regularisation or property registration. Officials are mandated to review each application individually, and only properties that strictly meet the eligibility criteria under the respective rules will be cleared. Furthermore, the absence of a fixed deadline means applicants could still face varied processing times depending on their local jurisdiction.
Analysis
This administrative push represents a critical attempt to unlock millions of rupees in stagnant real estate value, especially in highly developed zones of Hyderabad. While the intent to resolve the 2016 backlog is clear, the actual success of this initiative will depend heavily on the Revenue Department’s operational bandwidth. Without a strict, time-bound mandate, the bureaucratic process of verifying old HMDA and GHMC permissions against Section 22-A lists may still prove challenging for on-the-ground officials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which applications are covered by the new review?
Pending ULC applications filed under Government Orders 455, 456, 747, and 92 are covered by this new review.
Does the memo automatically regularise all pending properties?
No. Officials are to review applications, and only eligible cases are to be regularised in accordance with the rules.
What is the memo number?
The directive was issued under Memo No. 48062/ULC/A1/2026-1.
How many applications are pending?
The Revenue Minister described the backlog as thousands of applications, but the official report provides no exact total.
Has the government announced a deadline for completing the review?
No completion deadline for the administrative review is specified in the current report.
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