Puducherry Launches One-Time Regularisation Scheme 2025

Puducherry Launches One-Time Regularisation Scheme 2025: Key Highlights for Competitive Exam Aspirants

The Union Territory of Puducherry has rolled out the One-Time Regularisation Scheme 2025 aimed at bringing unauthorised constructions and building plan violations under legal compliance. Announced in July 2025, this progressive policy targets urban regularisation and transparent development, covering structures built or modified between May 1, 1987, and July 16, 2025.

This initiative is particularly important for aspirants of UPSC, State PSCs, and other competitive exams, as it ties into themes of urban governance, public policy, land use regulation, and center-state relations, all of which are crucial parts of the General Studies syllabus.

Objective of the Scheme

The primary goal of the One-Time Regularisation Scheme is to:

• Legalise unauthorised buildings and deviations from approved plans.
• Facilitate urban infrastructure planning by bringing irregular constructions into the legal framework.
• Generate funds for development via regularisation fees.

This move aims to regularise thousands of buildings that were previously in legal limbo, making it one of the most significant steps in urban development policy in recent years.

Scope and Eligibility

The scheme is applicable across all Puducherry regions and includes:

• Unauthorised constructions and building deviations
• Mixed-use buildings and multi-storeyed structures
• Government-aided educational institutions (with 50% fee concession)
• Exemptions for government buildings

However, it excludes:

• Properties without valid title deeds
• Buildings on encroached government land
• Structures within or adjoining major development projects

Application Process

Applicants must apply online within one year of the scheme’s notification. The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has developed an Online Building Permission System (OBPS), which enables smooth application management.

Required documents include:

• Building plans
• Previous approvals and certificates
• Proof of ownership or occupancy
• Structural stability and safety certificates

Until a decision is made on the application, no service disconnection or demolition will be carried out.

Fee and Charges

The Puducherry government has announced a non-refundable application fee and a scrutiny fee based on the type of construction:

• ₹5,000 for residential buildings
• ₹10,000 for non-residential/commercial structures
• Scrutiny Fees: ₹20/sq.m (residential), ₹50/sq.m (non-residential)

Regularisation charges:

• ₹500/sq.m – Residential
• ₹750/sq.m – Mixed use or special buildings
• ₹1,000/sq.m – Multi-storeyed buildings

Safety and Compliance Norms

Before approval, the Town and Country Planning Department will verify compliance with:

• Road width and building height limits
• Parking, fire safety, and lift access
• Facilities for persons with disabilities
• Solar and environmental provisions

Only buildings adhering to these minimum safety norms will be granted regularisation.

Implementation & Urban Impact

Owners of unauthorised constructions will receive notices within six months. The regularisation fees collected will be directed to a dedicated urban infrastructure fund to support planned development in Puducherry.

This step is expected to significantly reduce legal uncertainties in the real estate market and create a model for other states and UTs facing similar issues of unplanned urbanisation.

Importance for Competitive Exams

This topic is relevant for the following subjects:

• UPSC/State PSC GS Paper II & GS Paper III – Urban governance, Land reforms, Policy interventions
• Essay/Interview – Model of legalising informal urban development
• Current Affairs – Urban housing policy, Digital governance (OBPS)

Aspirants should focus on the legal, administrative, and planning dimensions of this scheme and be ready to connect it with broader issues like urban slums, housing for all, ease of doing business in real estate, and e-governance.

Conclusion

The One-Time Regularisation Scheme 2025 by Puducherry is a landmark initiative in urban governance. It not only aims at legalising unapproved structures but also enhances future urban development and planning. As a competitive exam aspirant, understanding the policy intent, implementation mechanism, digital platforms, and urban impact of such schemes is vital to scoring better and thinking like a policymaker.

At The Prayas India, we ensure that our students get the most relevant and in-depth analysis of current affairs and government schemes that are most likely to appear in the examination.