DC Conversion

In Karnataka, land recorded as agricultural cannot simply be built on. The owner has to get permission to use it for a non-agricultural purpose, such as housing. This permission is given under Section 95 of the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964, traditionally by the Deputy Commissioner of the district, which is why people call it “DC conversion”. The order names the survey number, the area converted and the use allowed.

Much of the land on Bengaluru’s edges, including along the Sarjapur and Attibele side, was farmland not long ago. If a project’s land was never converted, building plans and later approvals can be challenged, and banks may refuse loans. Conversion is the first step; the planning approval and building sanction come after it.

Karnataka has changed its conversion process in recent years to make it simpler. The rules may differ depending on when the land was converted, so ask your lawyer to read the order against the law that applied at the time.

• A copy of the conversion order for every survey number in the project.
• That the area converted is at least the area built on.
• That the use allowed is residential, not commercial or industrial.
• That the survey numbers match the RERA registration and the sale deeds.
• Any conditions in the order, such as fees or deadlines, and proof they were met.