In a major policy shift aimed at empowering women and boosting the real estate sector, the Uttar Pradesh government has raised the stamp duty exemption limit for women property buyers from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore. This move now allows women homebuyers to save up to ₹1 lakh in stamp duty a significant leap from the earlier maximum rebate of ₹10,000.
The decision, finalized during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow on July 22, is already generating buzz across the housing and financial sectors. It’s being hailed as a pivotal step towards greater financial independence and inclusion for women, especially those from the middle-income segment.
Previously, the stamp duty concession was only applicable for properties priced up to ₹10 lakh, where women buyers could save a maximum of ₹10,000. With the real estate market seeing steady appreciation, this threshold was increasingly seen as outdated. The new policy raises the exemption limit to ₹1 crore, enabling women to claim a 1% rebate on stamp duty up to ₹1 lakh.
This change aligns with broader policy discussions across India, including the Union Government’s proposals in Budget 2024 to reduce stamp duties for women. The Uttar Pradesh government’s move is widely viewed as a step in this direction.
Real estate experts have praised the new exemption limit, particularly for its potential to stimulate the mid-range housing segment. Properties priced between ₹50 lakh to ₹1 crore are among the most in-demand in cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, Ghaziabad, and Agra.
With this update, buyers are expected to consider registering properties in the names of female family members more frequently, not just for the financial advantage, but also to enhance the legal and financial autonomy of women.
An industry expert noted, “This step may encourage more buyers to register properties under women’s names. Not only does it offer monetary benefits, but it also strengthens the social and economic positioning of women.”
The policy shift is also part of Uttar Pradesh’s Mission Shakti programme, which aims to promote self-reliance and empowerment among women. Labour Minister Anil Rajbhar stated that this move would provide financial confidence and societal respect to women, especially those from middle-class families.
By supporting home ownership among women, the government hopes to catalyze a wave of economic and social transformation, ensuring women become active stakeholders in household wealth.
While the policy has been broadly welcomed, some stakeholders believe it doesn’t go far enough especially in high-value real estate markets like Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, where property prices often exceed ₹1 crore.
Experts suggest that a higher cap of ₹2.5 crore or even removal of the limit altogether would provide a more impactful benefit, especially for families investing in high-rise apartments or larger independent homes.
A senior partner at ZEUS Law commented, “Considering the property values in urban hubs, a ₹1 crore limit is still restrictive. Raising it further would have expanded the policy’s reach and real impact.”
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