For Prelims: Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Floor Area Ratio (FAR) / Floor Space Index (FSI), Land Acquisition
For Mains: Urban land management, TDR as a policy tool, Heritage conservation vs urban development, Public-private partnership in infrastructure
Source:
Dainik Bhaskar
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Rajasthan is revising its Transferable Development Rights (TDR) policy in 2026.
- Landowners will get TDR certificates instead of cash compensation for land acquired for public works.
- Landowners can get up to double the area surrendered in additional construction rights.
- The draft policy exempts heritage areas like Jaipur's Parkota/Chardiwari from its application.
- The previous TDR policy was drafted in 2012 under the Ashok Gehlot government.
Why in the news?
The Rajasthan government is revising its Transferable Development Rights (TDR) policy for land acquisition in cities. Instead of cash compensation at market rates, affected landowners will get TDR certificates for up to double the area surrendered, allowing additional construction. The draft exempts heritage city areas like Jaipur's walled city (Parkota/Chardiwari).
Summary
- Rajasthan's new TDR policy draft replaces cash compensation with Transferable Development Rights (TDR) certificates for land acquired for public works like roads and parks.
- Landowners will get additional construction rights up to double the area surrendered, which can be sold to builders or private individuals.
- The policy will not apply to heritage city areas and densely populated old settlements such as Jaipur's Parkota/Chardiwari area.
- The previous TDR policy was drafted in 2012 under the Ashok Gehlot government; the new draft is being revised after 14 years.
- The Urban Development Department has sought public suggestions on whether accepting up to 2000 square yards of construction rights for 1000 square yards of land is acceptable.
Background
Rajasthan's existing TDR policy was framed in 2012 under the then Ashok Gehlot government. Over the past 14 years, the government has found it difficult to acquire private land for public amenities like roads and parks because it lacks vacant government land in cities. The old policy had provisions that made its implementation ineffective, prompting a comprehensive revision.
Key Analysis and Impact
The shift from cash compensation to TDR certificates is a major policy change. It aims to reduce the government's immediate financial burden while giving landowners a tradable asset (construction rights) that can appreciate. However, there is opposition from the public who prefer cash or land-for-land compensation. The exemption for heritage areas like Jaipur's Parkota/Chardiwari is significant for urban conservation but limits the policy's application in dense old cities.
Way Forward
The Urban Development Department is currently seeking public suggestions on the draft. The final policy will be notified after incorporating feedback. The success of the policy depends on market acceptance of TDR certificates and the government's ability to enforce the new rules effectively, especially the one-year surrender deadline for landowners.
Rajasthan connection
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Transferable Development Rights (TDR)
- A planning tool that allows landowners to transfer the development potential (floor area ratio) from one parcel of land to another, often used to compensate for land acquired for public purposes without cash.
- Floor Area Ratio (FAR) / Floor Space Index (FSI)
- The ratio of a building's total floor area to the size of the plot of land upon which it is built, regulating building density in urban areas.
- Land Acquisition
- The process by which the government acquires private land for public purposes, governed by the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: TDR policy drafted in 2012, revised in 2026 after 14 years
- Legal Point: Transferable Development Rights (TDR) provision
Common mistake:
Examiners may swap 'Transferable Development Rights' with 'Floor Area Ratio' or 'Floor Space Index' (FSI). TDR is a right to transfer development potential, while FAR/FSI is the ratio itself. Also, the exemption is for 'heritage city areas' not all of Jaipur.
Write these in mains answers
- Urban land management, TDR as a policy tool, Heritage conservation vs urban development, Public-private partnership in infrastructure
Stuck? Get it in one tap
When the Rajasthan government takes private land for building roads or parks, instead of paying cash, it will give the landowner a certificate called Transferable Development Rights. This certificate lets the owner build extra floors on another property they own, up to twice the area they gave up. They can also sell this certificate to a builder. This policy does not apply in heritage areas like Jaipur's old walled city.
- Governance: Urban development and land management
- Economy: Infrastructure and public policy
Related concepts: Transferable Development Rights (TDR), Floor Area Ratio (FAR) / Floor Space Index (FSI), Land Acquisition
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which department of the Rajasthan government is responsible for the new Transferable Development Rights (TDR) policy?
Explanation: The Urban Development Department is handling the TDR policy revision. The Department of Revenue handles land records, Rural Development focuses on village areas, and the Department of Housing and Urban Affairs is a central ministry, not a state department.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding Rajasthan's new TDR policy:
- 1.The new policy provides cash compensation at market rates for land acquired for public works.
- 2.Landowners will receive Transferable Development Rights certificates that can be sold to builders or private individuals.
- 3.The policy will not apply to heritage city areas like Jaipur's Parkota/Chardiwari.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is incorrect: the proposed policy replaces cash compensation with TDR certificates; it does not provide cash. Statement 2 is correct: TDR certificates can be sold. Statement 3 is correct: heritage areas like Parkota/Chardiwari are exempt from the policy. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
According to the new TDR policy draft, for every 1000 square yards of land surrendered, up to how much additional construction right can a landowner receive?
Explanation: The policy draft states that landowners will get additional construction rights up to double the area surrendered, i.e., up to 2000 square yards for 1000 square yards. 1500 square yards was mentioned as a possible option in the public suggestion query.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective behind Rajasthan's shift from cash compensation to TDR certificates for land acquisition?
Explanation: The shift aims to lower the government's immediate cash outlay while giving landowners a valuable, tradable asset (construction rights). Immediate cash relief is not the objective; it replaces cash. FAR increase is a side effect, not the primary goal. The policy facilitates, not stops, land acquisition.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the new TDR policy in Rajasthan?
The draft Transferable Development Rights (TDR) policy proposes TDR certificates in place of cash compensation for land acquired for public works, giving landowners up to double the area in additional construction rights.
2. Which areas are exempt from the new TDR policy in Jaipur?
Heritage city areas like Jaipur's Parkota/Chardiwari (walled city) and densely populated old settlements are exempt from the new TDR policy.
3. When was the previous TDR policy in Rajasthan drafted?
The previous TDR policy was drafted in 2012 under the Ashok Gehlot government, and the new draft is being revised after 14 years.
4. Who is responsible for the new TDR policy in Rajasthan?
The Urban Development Department of the Government of Rajasthan is responsible for drafting and implementing the new TDR policy.
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- Original8 November 2026 · Read story
