The KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS LANDS (PROTECTION AND REGULARISATION) ACT, 2026

KARNATAKA ACT NO. 24 OF 2026 
THE KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION’S LANDS 
(PROTECTION AND REGULARISATION) ACT, 2026 
 
Arrangement of Sections 
 
Sections: 
 
1. Short title and commencement 
2. Definitions 
3. Vesting of Land Used by Government Educational Institutions 
4. Bar on Legal Claims and Proceedings 
5. Presumption of Public Purpose Use 
6. Estoppel and laches 
7. Land register and vesting certificate 
8. Appointment and Powers of Estate Officer 
9. Grievance Redressal Authority 
10. Appeals to the Tribunal 
11. Power to make rules 
12. Protection of Action Taken in Good Faith 
13. Overriding Effect 
14. Power to remove difficulties 
 
 
 
STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS 
Amendment A ct 24  of 2026 .- 1. In many parts of Karnataka, 
Government educational institutions have been established and functioning 
on lands donated by individuals, families or community bodies, often without 
formal documentation or registered transfer. These donations, made in good 
faith, enabled the State to develop vital educational infrastructure that has 
served generations of children. Despite decades of undisputed public use, 
recent claims by successors or legal heirs, based on technical gaps in 
documentation, have led to litigat ion which has stalled construction and 
uncertainty over land status. 
 
 
 
2. Presently, there exists no dedicated legislation to protect such lands 
or validate informal gifts made for public education. Existing legal frameworks 
do not adequately address long -standing, open and settled use of land for 
Government educational institutions. This has left thousands of institutions 
vulnerable to disruption and placed State infrastructure and public 
investments at legal risk. 
3. The Karnataka Government Educational Institution Lands 
(Protection and Regularisation) Bill, 2026 seeks to address this challenge by,- 
(a) providing for deemed vesting of lands where a Government 
educational institution has functioned continuously and without objection for 
not less than twelve years; 
(b) barring stale claims or legal proceedings against such lands beyond 
a twelve-year period of undisputed use; 
(c) recognising long-standing public use of lands given without formal 
documentation for educational purposes; 
(d) empowering the State  to issue Vesting Certificates, maintain an 
official land register alongside establish a grievance redressal and appellate 
mechanism; 
(e) co -ordinating with relevant departments, including those 
administering forest, wakf, tribal and religious institution lands, to ensure 
lawful regularisation and protection of Government educational institution 
lands. 
4. The proposed legislation does not extinguish valid rights unfairly but 
provides procedural safeguards, including a limited window for raising 
genuine claims and a forum for appeal. It aims to balance individual property 
rights with long -standing public interest, uphold the fundamental right to 
education and secure legal certainty for Government educational 
infrastructure. 
 
 
 
5. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objects. 
 Hence, the Bill. 
[L.A. Bill No. 09 of 2026, File No. SAMVYASHAE 11 SHASANA 2026]  
[Entry 18 of List II and entry 25 of List III  of the Seventh Schedule to the 
Constitution of India]  
[Published in K arnataka Gazette Extra -ordinary No.267 in part -IVA 
dated:09.04.2026] 
  
KARNATAKA ACT NO. 24 OF 2026 
(First Published in the Karnataka Gazette Extra-ordinary on the 9th day of April, 2026) 
 
THE KARNATAKA GOVERNMENT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION’S LANDS 
(PROTECTION AND REGULARISATION) ACT, 2026 
 (Received the assent of the Governor on the 8th day of April, 2026) 
 
An Act to provide protection and regularisation of the land vested and 
used by Government Educational Institutions in favour of the State 
Government. 
Whereas it is expedient to provide protection and regularisation of the 
land vested and used by Government Educational Institutions in favour of the 
State Government and for the matters connected therewith or incidental there 
to; 
Be it enacted by the Karnataka State Legislature in the seventy seventh 
year of the Republic of India, as follows:- 
1. Short title and commencement. - (1) This Act may be called the 
Karnataka Government Educational Institution’s Lands (Protection and 
Regularisation) Act, 2026. 
(2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, 
by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. 
2. Definitions.- In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, 
(a) “Authority” means the Department of School Education or Departmen
t of School Education (Pre-University) or anybody designated by the St
ate Government for the purposes of this Act. 
(b) “Government Educational Institution” includes approved schools as d
efined under section 2(3) of the Karnataka Education Act, 1983 and G
overnment Pre-University College as defined under sub -rule (5) of rule 
2 of  
The Karnataka Department of School Education (Pre -University) (Acad
emic, Registration, Administration and Grant -in-aid etc.) Rules, 2024; 
and 
(c) "Prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act. 
3. Vesting of Land Used by Government Educational Institutions. -   
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law for the time being in 
force, if a Government Educational Institution has functioned continuously 
on any immovable property for at least twelve years, the land shall be deemed 
to be vested in favour of the State Government or the appropriate Authority, 
free from all encumbrances, claims or reversionary interests. 
  (2) Such vesting shall not be affected by,- 
(a) the absence of a registered document of transfer; 
(b) the death of the donor, whether testate or intestate; and 
(c) non-compliance with the provisions of the Transfer of Property Act, 
1882 (Central Act 04 of 1882) or the Indian Succession Act, 1925. 
(Central Act 39 of 1925). 
  4. Bar on Legal Claims and Proceedings .- (1) No suit, application, 
appeal or proceeding shall lie in any court or tribunal against the State or any 
Authority regarding any right, title or interest claimed by a person in vested 
land, where the occupation by the Government Educational Institution has 
continued for more than twelve years. 
(2) Any suit pending on the date of commencement of this Act, relating 
to the title or possession of such Government Educational Institution lands, 
shall cease immediately unless compensation has already been awarded 
under an acquisition proceeding. 
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), any 
person who,- 
(a) holds a registered title document for the land in question, and 
(b) can  prove by documentary evidence that the land was never 
voluntarily given for Government Educational Institution use, may 
file a claim before the Grievance Redressal Authority within thirty  
days from the date of commencement of this Act. 
 (4) If the claim is upheld, the Grievance Redressal Authority may 
recommend appropriate remedial action including land substitution or partial 
exemption from vesting, as may be prescribed by the State Government. 
5. Presumption of Public Purpose Use.- (1) If the land has been used 
continuously for educational purposes with the knowledge of the community 
and without objection for more than twelve years, such use shall be presumed 
to be a valid and irrevocable public dedication. 
(2) The absence of documentary proof shall not negate the presumption 
of public purpose use. 
6. Estoppel and laches.- A person shall not be entitled to assert a claim 
over Government educational institution land if he or his predecessor-in-title 
knowingly acquiesced to the use of the land for Government Educational 
Institution purposes and failed to object within a reasonable time. 
 
7. Land register and vesting certificate. - (1) The State Government, 
through the Estate Officer designated under section 8, shall maintain a 
register of lands deemed to be vested under this Act. 
(2) No vesting certificate shall be issued unless: 
  
(a) a public notice has been published in atleast two newspapers in vide 
circulation in the local language at the panchayat and taluk offices; 
 (b) objections have been invited and addressed within a period of sixty 
days; and 
(c) a summary hearing is held for objectors before the Grievance, 
Redressal Authority under section 9. 
(3) The appropriate Authority shall issue a Vesting Certificate for each 
property, which shall serve as conclusive evidence of title for all purposes. 
8. Appointment and Powers o f Estate Officer .- (1) The Block 
Education Officer (BEO) and the Deputy Director of Pre-University Education 
(DDPU) shall be deemed to be the Estate Officer for the purposes of this Act 
in respect of all Government Educational Institution lands within his 
jurisdiction. 
(2) The Estate Officer shall be responsible for,- 
(a) maintaining accurate and up -to-date land records of all 
Government Educational Institution properties; 
(b) monitoring encroachments, misuse or alienation of such lands; 
(c) coordinating wi th the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj 
Department, Urban Development Department, Revenue 
Department and other related authorities, including but not 
limited to the Forest Department, the Wakf Board and departments 
responsible for lands governed by spec ial laws such as the 
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers 
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (Central Act 02 of 2007) or 
religious institution lands, for the purpose of demarcation, 
protection or recovery of Government Educational Institution land; 
and 
(d) assisting the Authority in the preparation and verification of 
Vesting Certificates. 
(3) The Estate Officer may, by written communication, request the 
Tahsildar to,- 
(a) conduct land surveys and demarcation; 
(b) update revenue records to reflect statutory vesting; and  
 (c) initiate eviction or protection measures under the relevant land 
laws. 
(4) The Estate Officer shall make all relevant records available for 
inspection by the School Education and, Literacy Department, Revenue 
Department, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, Urban 
Development Department and other related authorities, including but not 
limited to the Forest Department, the Wakf Board and departments 
responsible for lands governed by special laws such as the  Scheduled Tribes  
 
and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 
(Central Act 02 of 2007) or religious institution lands, as may be prescribed. 
9. Grievance Redressal Authority.- (1) The Revenue Court constituted 
under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 (Karnataka Act 12 of 1964) 
shall be the Grievance Redressal Authority for the purposes of this Act. 
(2) Any person aggrieved by a Vesting Certificate or its denial, may file 
a representation before the Grievance Redressal Authority within a period of 
30 days from the date of such order. 
(3) The Grievance Redressal Authority shall dispose of the matter within 
a period of 60 days, with reasoned orders. 
10. Appeals to the Tribunal.- (1) Any person aggrieved by the decision 
of the Grievance Redressal Authority may appeal to the Karnataka Appellate 
Tribunal, constituted under the Karnataka Appellate Tribunal Act, 1976 
(Karnataka Act 10 of 1976). 
(2) The appeal must be filed within a period of 30 days from the date of 
receipt of the order of the Grievance Redressal Authority. 
11. Powers  to make rules. - (1) The State Government, may, by 
notification, make rules to carry out the provisions of this Act. 
(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing 
provision, such rules may provide for,- 
(a) procedure for identifying and surveying lands used by Government 
Educational Institution; 
(b) maintenance of land registers; 
(c) formats for Vesting Certificates and public notices shall be as may 
be prescribed; and 
(d) all matters expressly required or allowed by this Act to be 
prescribed or in respect of which this Act makes no provision or 
makes insufficient provision and a provision is , in the opinion of 
the State Government, necessary for the proper implementation of 
this Act. 
(3) Any rule made under this Act may be made with retrospective effect 
and when such a rule is made, the reasons for making the rule shall be 
specified in a stat ement to be laid before both the Houses of the State 
Legislature and subject to any modification made under sub-section (4), every 
rule made under this Act shall have effect as if it is enacted in the Act. 
(4) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be before 
each House of the State Legislature while it is in Session for a total period of 
thirty days, which may be comprised in one Session or in two or more 
successive Sessions and if, before the expiry of the Session in which it is so 
laid or the Session immediately following both Houses agree in making any 
modification in the file or decide that any rule should not be made, the rule 
shall thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as 
the case may be, so, however, that any such modification or annulment shall 
be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under that 
rule. 
12. Protection of Action Taken in Good Faith.- No suit, prosecution 
or other legal proceeding shall lie against the Government  or any officer or 
authority for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done! 
under this Act. 
13. Overriding Effect. - The provisions of this Act shall have effect 
notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other  law 
for the time being in force. 
14. Power to remove difficulties.- (1) If any difficulty arises in giving 
effect  to the provisions of this Act, the State Government may, by order 
published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions, not inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act, as may be necessary or expedient for removing the 
difficulty: 
Provided that, no order under this section shall be made after expiry of 
two years from the date of commencement of this Act. 
(2) Every order made under this section s hall, as soon as may be after 
its so made, be laid before both the Houses of the State Legislature. 
 
The above translation of ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಶೈಕ್ಷಣಿಕ ಸಂಸ್ಥ ೆ ಯ ಭೂಮಿಗಳ (ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಮತ್ತ ು 
ಸಕ ರ ಮಾತಿ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2026 (2026ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖ್ಯೆ :24) be Published in 
official Gazette under clause (3) of Article 348 of the Constitution of India.  
 
THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT 
GOVERNOR OF KARNATAKA 
By Order and in the name of 
the Governor of Karnataka, 
 
 
G. SRIDHAR 
Secretary to Government 
Department of Parliamentary 
Affairs and Legislation 
 

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