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 Act 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 litigation 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 Karnataka 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 of 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 with 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 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, 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 statement 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 shall, 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 ಸಂಸೆ್ಥಯ ಭೂಮಿಗಳ (ರಕ್ಷಣೆ ಮತ್ತು  

ಸಕರ ಮಾತಿ) ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ, 2026 (2026ರ ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಅಧಿನಿಯಮ ಸಂಖೆ್ಯ :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