Women buying residential property in Maharashtra continue to get a 1 percent concession in stamp duty under Rajmata Jijau Griha Swamini Yojana 2026. This benefit applies automatically at the time of registration when the property is bought solely in a woman's name, or jointly with a woman listed as the first buyer. No separate application is required for this concession, and there is no cap on the property value for claiming it.
In Maharashtra, women pay 5 percent stamp duty against 6 percent charged to men in Mumbai, and 6 percent against 7 percent in the rest of the state. Over a decade since it was introduced, the scheme remains one of the simplest ways for women home buyers to save a real amount of money on property purchase.
Maharashtra Rajmata Jijau Griha Swamini Yojana 2026
Rajmata Jijau Griha Swamini Yojana was announced in the Maharashtra state budget of 2021-22 by the then Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and became applicable from 1 April 2021 through an order issued by the Revenue and Forest Department. At the time, the state government said the concession of 1 percent on stamp duty over the prevailing rate was meant to encourage more women to own property in their own name.
The rule under this scheme is simple. Women get 1 percent less stamp duty compared to men, and this applies only to residential property, not to commercial or industrial property. If a woman is buying jointly with a man, the concession is available only when the woman's name comes first on the sale agreement and registration papers. If two or more women are buying together, the concession applies as well.
Big Change: 15 Year Lock-in Removed
When this scheme started, women who bought property at the discounted rate had to hold on to it for 15 years. Selling it earlier meant paying back the 1 percent difference in stamp duty at the time of resale. Maharashtra government removed this lock-in condition in 2023, so women home buyers can now sell their property whenever they want, without any penalty tied to this concession.
Who Can Claim Stamp Duty Concession
Not every purchase qualifies for the 1 percent benefit, so it helps to check where you stand before signing the sale agreement.
- Property registered fully in a woman's name gets the concession without any extra paperwork.
- In a joint purchase between husband and wife, the wife's name must appear first on the agreement for the reduced rate to apply.
- Two or more women buying a property together, such as a mother and daughter, also qualify for the concession.
- Purchases made by a company, partnership firm, or with a man as the first named buyer do not get this benefit.
Highlights of Rajmata Jijau Griha Swamini Yojana
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Rajmata Jijau Griha Swamini Yojana |
| Launched By | Maharashtra Government, effective 1 April 2021 |
| Beneficiaries | Women buying residential property in Maharashtra |
| Benefit | 1 percent concession in stamp duty over the rate charged to men |
| Lock-in Period | Removed in 2023, no resale restriction now |
| Application Mode | Automatic at Sub-Registrar office, no separate form needed |
On a flat worth ₹50 lakh, a woman buyer in Mumbai pays around ₹50,000 less in stamp duty compared to a man buying the same property. On a ₹1 crore flat, the saving works out to about ₹1 lakh. This saving grows in the same proportion as the property value, since the concession is 1 percent of the deal value, not 1 percent of the stamp duty amount.
Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule and Other Women Welfare Steps
Along with this stamp duty concession, the same 2021-22 budget had announced free travel for girl students from rural areas, from their village to school or college, on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation buses under Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule scheme. A separate Tejasvini Yojana was planned for special buses for women commuters in cities. Maharashtra government has since launched several other schemes for women, including Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which gives monthly cash support to eligible women in the state.
Under Nav-Tejaswini Maharashtra Gramin Mahila Udyam Vikas, a 6-year project supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development with an outlay of around ₹523 crore, women and self-help groups in rural areas get support to improve their income and grow their small enterprises.
Documents Needed at Registration
Since the concession applies automatically, there is no separate application form. The Sub-Registrar checks the buyer's documents at the time of registration itself.
- PAN card and Aadhaar card of the woman buyer, for identity and address proof.
- Sale agreement or agreement for sale with the woman's name listed as the first purchaser.
- Stamp duty payment challan showing the reduced rate has been paid correctly.
- Two witnesses with valid identity proof, required for registration at the Sub-Registrar office.
FAQ's
Is the 15 year lock-in still applicable on this concession?
No. Maharashtra government removed the 15 year lock-in in 2023. Women who bought property earlier under the old rule, or buy now, can sell their property anytime without paying back the stamp duty difference.
Does this concession apply to commercial property?
No. Rajmata Jijau Griha Swamini Yojana covers residential property only. Commercial and industrial property purchases do not get the 1 percent benefit.
What happens if stamp duty is paid at the full rate by mistake?
A refund application can be filed with the Collector of Stamps of the district within 2 years of the overpayment, along with the registered agreement and proof of payment. It is better to check the rate on the challan before paying, since refunds can take several months.
Source / Reference Link: indianexpress.com