How to Convert Leasehold Land to Freehold in Bhubaneswar – BMC Area Guide 2026
| Service | Leasehold to Freehold Conversion |
| Applicable Area | Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) Area |
| Department | General Administration (GA) Department, Govt. of Odisha |
| Official Portal | gaestate.odisha.gov.in |
| Application Fee | ₹400 |
| Certificate Authority | Planning Member, BDA (Order No. 26984/CA) |
Portal
Application Fee
Certificate
Department
About Leasehold to Freehold Conversion in Bhubaneswar
The leasehold to freehold conversion process allows lessees of residential plots within the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) area to convert their leasehold rights (land taken on lease for 90 years) into permanent freehold ownership. This conversion is facilitated by the General Administration (GA) Department, Government of Odisha.
Key benefits of conversion:
- Permanent ownership – No lease renewal required
- Transferable rights – Sell or transfer property freely
- No annual ground rent – After conversion
- Higher property value – Freehold properties command premium prices
Who Can Apply?
- Original allottee/lessee – The person to whom the lease deed was originally executed
- Legal heirs / Successors-in-interest – In case of death of the original allottee
- Substituted lessee – In case of transfer of leasehold rights with GA Department approval
Important Update: BDA Certificate Requirement
Order No. 26984/CA dated 07.08.2025
As per the recent Government Order, the following changes have been made:
- BDA replaces BMC – The Planning Member, BDA (Bhubaneswar Development Authority) is now authorized to issue the required certificate instead of BMC.
- Timeline: Certificate shall be issued within 15 days from the date of filing of application.
- Applicants: Both pending and new conversion applicants are required to apply before the Planning Member, BDA.
Step-by-Step Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for leasehold to freehold conversion online:
Step 1: Visit the GA Estate Portal
Open your web browser and go to the official GA Estate website:
Register on the Portal
Go to https://gaestate.odisha.gov.in/registration.php and register by providing your basic information. After successful registration, you will receive an SMS with your acknowledgement number and login details.
Login to Your Account
Click on the login link on the registration success page or use the menu bar login link. Select "Conversion Applicant" and login with your credentials.
Update Your Photograph
Click on "Edit Profile" from the left menu. Either take a photograph using your web camera or upload a scanned passport-size photograph.
Upload Your Signature
Click on "Take Signature" from the left menu. Use a signature pad to take your signature directly or scan and upload your signature.
Pay Application Fee
Click on "Pay Application Fees" to pay the ₹400 fee. Only online payment through the website is acceptable. Click "Proceed for Payment" to redirect to the Odisha Treasury site.
Important: After completing the transaction, click "Back to DTI" or "Return to Orissa VAT" to ensure your transaction is registered with GA Estate.
Apply for Conversion
Click on "Apply for Conversion" from the left menu. Complete the process by uploading clearly visible scanned copies of all required documents.
Obtain BDA Certificate
Apply to the Planning Member, BDA with the required documents to obtain the certificate confirming building construction as per approved plan.
Submit Hard Copies
Visit the GA Department facilitation centre with all original documents, the e-payment receipt, and the BDA certificate.
Prescribed Format for Conversion – PDF
Download the prescribed format for conversion application, which includes the affidavit, indemnity bond, specimen signature format, and conveyance deed format.
Documents Required for Conversion
The following documents are required for conversion of leasehold land to freehold:
Fee Structure for Conversion
Application Fee
₹400 – Non-refundable application fee (payable online through the GA Estate portal)
Conversion Fee Calculation
Conversion fees are calculated using the following formula:
Amount of premium per acre × (Area of the plot in sq. ft / 43,560)
The exact amount is calculated as on the date of application.
Concessional Premium
Applicants who availed lease on concessional premium will pay equal percent differential concessional premium calculated at the rate as on date of application for conversion.
Forms Required for Conversion
Affidavit
- To be executed by the applicant
- Declares the correctness of information
- Confirms use of property as residential
- Confirms up-to-date ground rent payment
Indemnity Bond
- On ₹10 Non-Judicial Stamp Paper
- To be attested by Notary Public
- Keeps the Government harmless from claims
- Must be executed by the applicant
Specimen Signature Format
- Three specimen signatures required
- For all applicants/mutatees
- In A4 size paper
- Required for verification
NOC from Bank
- Required if property is under mortgage
- Issued by Bank/Financial Institution
- No objection for conversion
- In prescribed format
Important Points to Remember
- Only Online Payment: Payment must be made only through the GA Estate website – no other mode of payment is acceptable.
- Back to DTI: After completing the transaction with your bank, click "Back to DTI" or "Return to Orissa VAT" to register the transaction.
- BDA Certificate: Obtain certificate from Planning Member, BDA (not BMC) as per Order No. 26984/CA.
- Certificate Timeline: BDA certificate will be issued within 15 days from date of application.
- Document Attestation: All documents must be self-attested by the applicant and attested by a Gazetted Officer/Notary.
- Suppression of Facts: If any fact is suppressed or misrepresented, the conveyance deed will be void and the consideration forfeited.
- Stamp Duty: Stamp duty and registration charges for the conveyance deed shall be borne by the purchaser.
Frequently Asked Questions
Official Resources & Contact
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