Document Guide · Himachal Pradesh
How to Check Section 118 Permission in Himachal Pradesh — Complete Guide 2026
Section 118 permission is the State Government approval that allows a non-agriculturist to legally buy agricultural or horticultural land in Himachal Pradesh. Without it, the Sub-Registrar cannot register the sale deed. This guide covers who needs permission, how to apply, and the legal consequences of skipping this step.
Quick Reference
Also calledSection 118 permission (HP Tenancy & Land Reforms Act 1972)
Issued byState Government / District Collector, Himachal Pradesh
Valid forPermission for the specific approved purchase and purpose
CostAs prescribed by the State Government; confirm current fee
Time takenTypically 6 to 12 months
Online portalemerginghimachal.hp.gov.in/section118
noteWithout Section 118 permission the Sub-Registrar cannot register a sale deed for a non-agriculturist
1
What is Section 118 Permission in Himachal Pradesh?
Definition
Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972 restricts the transfer of agricultural or horticultural land in favour of any person who is not a bonafide agriculturist of the state. The permission is granted by the State Government through the Revenue Department after scrutiny by the District Collector.
This law applies to everyone who is not a registered agriculturist in HP. That means non-Himachali Indian citizens, residents of other states, NRIs, companies, and even Himachali residents who are not classified as agriculturists under the Act. The restriction covers sale, gift, exchange, lease, and mortgage with possession. Buying without prior permission is not just risky. The Supreme Court, in Ajay Dabra v Pyare Ram (2023), affirmed that the whole purpose of Section 118 is to protect small agricultural holdings of poor persons and check conversion of agricultural land for non-agricultural purposes.
2
How to Get Section 118 Permission in Himachal Pradesh: Step-by-Step
Applications for Section 118 permission can be submitted online through emerginghimachal.hp.gov.in/section118 or offline at the District Collector's office in the district where the land is located. Have the land's Khasra number, Jamabandi copy, proposed purpose, and your identity and domicile documents ready before starting.
Online method (recommended)
1
Access the portal Go to emerginghimachal
hp.gov.in/section118. This is the official online application portal for Section 118 permission, directed by the HP District Administration of Shimla and other districts.
2
Fill the application (Form LR-XIV) Complete Form LR-XIV with details of the applicant, the land being purchased (Khasra number, village, tehsil, district, area), the proposed purpose for which permission is sought, and the seller's details
Fill the application (Form LR-XIV) Complete Form LR-XIV with details of the applicant, the land being purchased (Khasra number, village, tehsil, district, area), the proposed purpose for which permission is sought, and the seller's details
3
Attach required documents Upload: identity proof, domicile or residence proof, Jamabandi copy confirming the land's classification and current owner, site plan, Essentiality Certificate from the relevant department (Town and Country Planning or IPH, depending on purpose), and NOCs from applicable departments
Attach required documents Upload: identity proof, domicile or residence proof, Jamabandi copy confirming the land's classification and current owner, site plan, Essentiality Certificate from the relevant department (Town and Country Planning or IPH, depending on purpose), and NOCs from applicable departments
The Essentiality Certificate confirms that the specific land area is genuinely required for the stated purpose. Missing this document will cause the application to be returned for correction.
4
Track and follow up The application proceeds from the Sub-Divisional Officer to the District Collector
The Collector may order a site inspection. From there it goes to the State Government (Revenue Department) for final decision. The process typically takes 6 to 12 months, and can extend further. Track status through the portal or by following up at the DC office.
Offline method (Sub-Registrar Office)
1
Visit the DC office Approach the District Collector's office in the district where the land is situated
The Collector is the primary receiving authority for Section 118 applications.
2
Collect and complete Form LR-XIV Obtain Form LR-XIV from the DC office or download it from himachalforms
nic.in. Fill in all fields: applicant details, land description, proposed purpose, and seller information. Attach self-attested copies of Aadhaar or PAN as identity proof, replacing the need for affidavits as per Revenue Department notification dated 20 August 2011.
3
Submit with supporting documents Submit the form with Jamabandi copy, Essentiality Certificate, NOCs from required departments, and any other documents specified on the checklist attached to Form LR-XIV
Pay the applicable fee as advised at the counter.
4
Attend inspection and await Government order The DC may order a spot inspection of the land
If documents are in order, the application is forwarded to the State Government. Approval or rejection is issued as a formal "Permission Under Section 118 of the H.P. Tenancy and Land Reforms Act." Only after receiving this order can the sale deed be executed and registered.
Do not pay the seller the full purchase amount before the Section 118 order is in hand. Applications can be rejected; advance payments in anticipation of approval create serious financial risk.
3
What Does Section 118 Permission Contain in Himachal Pradesh?
The Section 118 permission order contains specific fields that determine exactly what the buyer is permitted to do with the land, and for how long.
| Field | Description | What to Verify |
|---|---|---|
| Applicant Name and Address | Identity of the person granted permission | Confirm this matches the buyer named in the sale deed exactly. A name mismatch can delay or block registration. |
| Land Description | Khasra number, village, tehsil, district, and land area (in hectares) | Verify these details match the Jamabandi entry and the physical boundaries confirmed during the site inspection. |
| Permitted Purpose | Approved purpose for purchasing the land (residential, commercial, industrial, tourism, etc.) | Ensure the land is used only for the approved purpose. Any change requires fresh permission from the State Government. |
| Period for Use | Deadline by which the land must be used for the approved purpose, typically within two years of sale deed registration | Track this deadline carefully. Failure to use the land within the prescribed period may result in it vesting in the State Government. |
| Conditions and Restrictions | Specific conditions imposed by the Collector or the State Government | Read every condition carefully. Some approvals restrict resale, subdivision, or further transfer of the property. |
| Authority and Date | Name of the issuing authority and date of the approval order | Confirm the order is signed by the authorised Revenue Department officer and bears the official seal. |
Good sign: The order names the correct buyer, the specific Khasra number with correct area, a defined permitted purpose, and a clear 2-year use deadline with no unresolved conditions or outstanding NOCs.
4
Common Issues With Section 118 Permission in Himachal Pradesh
These are the most serious and most common problems buyers face with Section 118, each with a direct consequence.
Buying before permission is granted
Some sellers and agents pressure buyers to register the sale deed first and "sort out" Section 118 later. The Sub-Registrar will not register any document that contravenes Section 118(1). If somehow registration occurs and a violation is found, the land is declared void ab initio and vests in the State Government permanently.
Fix: Never execute or register a sale deed for agricultural land in HP until the Section 118 permission order is physically in hand.
2-year use obligation deadline missed
If the buyer does not put the land to the permitted use within 2 years of sale deed registration (extendable by 1 year with State Government approval and reasons in writing), the land vests in the State Government free from all encumbrances. This applies even if the purchase was fully legal and the permission was valid.
Fix: Before buying land from a seller who previously obtained Section 118 permission, verify the original permission date and confirm the 2-year obligation period has not already expired. If buying fresh, start development immediately after registration.
Purpose diversion without fresh permission
Using the land for a purpose different from what was stated in the permission (for example, building a hotel on land permitted for residential use) without obtaining a fresh government order constitutes a violation. The land can be taken back by the State Government under Section 118.
Fix: Apply for a change of purpose before any diversion. The compendium of Section 118 clarifications explicitly lists this as a separate application type requiring fresh government approval.
Section 118 violations in the title chain
A buyer may be purchasing land from someone who originally acquired it under a Section 118 permission that was later found to be violated. That earlier transfer may already be void ab initio, meaning the current seller has no valid title to transfer.
Fix: Check the full 30-year title chain for any Section 118 permission entries. If found, verify through the District Collector's office that the permission was not subsequently cancelled or violated.
Misunderstanding exemptions for urban areas
Many buyers incorrectly assume that any property in a hill station requires Section 118 permission. Built-up property within municipal corporation limits, municipal committee areas, notified area committees, and cantonment boards does not require Section 118 permission. Properties purchased from HIMUDA or Development Authority-approved schemes are also exempt.
Fix: Confirm the land's classification and the municipality's boundaries before applying. Buying an exempt property through the Section 118 process wastes 6 to 12 months unnecessarily.
December 2024 RERA amendment uncertainty
The HP government proposed amendments in late 2024 to allow non-agriculturists to purchase flats in RERA-registered approved colonies without Section 118 permission. These amendments are contested and no official gazette notification had been issued as of mid-2026. Relying on these amendments without legal verification carries significant risk.
Fix: Verify the current legal status of the December 2024 amendments with a qualified HP advocate before assuming any RERA-based exemption applies to your purchase.
5
Why Section 118 Permission Matters for Land Buyers in Himachal Pradesh
Section 118 is not a procedural formality; it is the legal foundation of every agricultural land purchase in HP by a non-agriculturist.
Without it, the sale deed cannot be registered The Sub-Registrar is legally barred from registering any document for agricultural land transfer that contravenes Section 118(1)
A signed agreement to sell and a paid advance mean nothing without the permission order. Registration is the moment of legal transfer, and it cannot happen without this document.
Violation results in permanent loss of land and money If a transfer is declared void ab initio by the Collector or on appeal, the land and all structures vest in the State Government free from all encumbrances
The buyer has no recourse to recover the purchase price through this process. The financial loss is total.
Banks cannot lend against improperly acquired land No bank or housing finance company will create a mortgage over land acquired in violation of Section 118
An existing mortgage on such land is also legally unenforceable. The EC may show the mortgage, but the underlying title is void.
HP-specific: the 2-year use obligation is tracked by the Collector Once permission is granted and the sale deed is registered, the District Collector's office monitors whether the land is being put to the stated use
If the 2-year period passes without use, the Collector initiates vesting proceedings. This is an active enforcement mechanism, not a paper requirement.
Red flag: If a seller offers agricultural land in HP without producing a valid Section 118 permission order in their name, or says permission "is in process" and asks for advance payment, stop the transaction immediately.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who needs Section 118 permission for land purchase in Himachal Pradesh 2026?
Any person who is not a bonafide agriculturist of Himachal Pradesh needs Section 118 permission before buying agricultural or horticultural land in HP. This includes non-Himachali Indians, NRIs, OCI cardholders, and even HP residents who hold no agricultural land in the state.
How do I apply for Section 118 permission in Himachal Pradesh?
Apply online at emerginghimachal.hp.gov.in/section118 or submit Form LR-XIV at the District Collector's office where the land is located. Attach the Jamabandi copy, Essentiality Certificate, NOCs from relevant departments, and identity proof. The application goes to the State Government after DC scrutiny.
How long does Section 118 permission take in Himachal Pradesh?
Typically 6 to 12 months. The process involves the District Collector conducting a site inspection and forwarding the application to the Revenue Department. For large projects or complex transactions the State Government sometimes examines applications at Cabinet level, extending the timeline further.
What is the 2-year use obligation under Section 118 HP?
After the sale deed is registered, the buyer must put the land to the exact purpose stated in the permission order within 2 years. A 1-year extension can be granted by the State Government with written reasons. If the deadline passes without compliance, the land vests in the State Government free from all encumbrances.
What happens if agricultural land in HP is transferred without Section 118 permission?
The transfer is void ab initio. Under Section 118(3D), the District Collector can declare the transfer illegal after an inquiry. The land, along with all structures, vests in the State Government. The buyer loses both the land and the money paid. There is no recovery process through the revenue system.
Who is exempt from Section 118 permission in Himachal Pradesh?
Buyers purchasing built-up property within municipal corporation limits, municipal committee areas, notified area committees, and cantonment boards do not need Section 118 permission. Properties from HIMUDA and Development Authority-approved schemes are also exempt. Agricultural land outside these boundaries always requires permission for non-agriculturists.
Can Section 118 permission be appealed if rejected in HP?
Yes. A person aggrieved by the Collector's finding can appeal to the Divisional Commissioner within 30 days of the Collector's order. The Divisional Commissioner's decision is final and conclusive. The Financial Commissioner can review proceedings for legality or propriety on his own initiative.
Can NRIs and OCI cardholders buy agricultural land in Himachal Pradesh?
No, not directly. NRIs and OCI cardholders are treated like non-Himachali buyers under Section 118 and cannot purchase agricultural or horticultural land without State Government permission. The safest legal route remains HIMUDA-allotted properties or built-up units in municipal limits, which are exempt from Section 118.
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