Buying a plot in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh (AP) without checking if it is on the prohibited lands list is one of the biggest mistakes a buyer can make. Prohibited lands cannot be registered or legally transferred, which means your entire investment can get stuck, even if you paid full amount and signed a sale deed.
This simple, friendly guide explains what are prohibited lands, types of prohibited properties under Section 22-A, and step-by-step methods to identify prohibited lands in Telangana and AP using government portals and district lists.
What are Prohibited Lands?
In simple words, prohibited lands are those properties on which the government has restricted registration, sale, or transfer. These restrictions are usually notified under Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908, and entered in official records of the Stamps & Registration Department.
These lands are blocked from registration to protect government land, assigned land given to the poor, forest land, endowment properties, Waqf land, irrigation land, roads, and other public-purpose lands from being sold illegally in the open market.
Legal Background: Section 22-A & Assigned Lands
The concept of prohibited properties mainly comes from Section 22-A of the Registration Act, 1908, which allows the state government to declare certain classes of land as “non-registerable”. Once notified, Sub-Registrar Offices (SROs) are not allowed to register any sale, gift, mortgage, or transfer deed on such lands.
In both Telangana and AP, a major part of prohibited lands also comes from assigned lands. These are government lands given to landless poor persons with a clear condition: they cannot be sold or transferred to others.
- In AP, this is governed by the Andhra Pradesh Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, which strictly bans transfer of assigned lands.
- In Telangana, assigned lands are also protected by similar rules; they are included in the prohibited list and blocked from registration.
Types of Prohibited Lands in Telangana & AP
The state governments have been preparing detailed lists of village-wise prohibited lands that will be uploaded and notified through gazette and online portals. Generally, the following categories come under prohibited properties (Section 22-A):
- Government-owned lands (revenue, department lands)
- Assigned lands given to landless poor (cannot be sold)
- Forest lands and eco-sensitive lands
- Endowments lands (temple, mutt, religious institutions)
- Waqf lands belonging to Waqf Board
- Irrigation project lands, tanks, canals, bunds, etc.
- Roads and public utility lands like school sites, hospital sites, government offices
- Certain agricultural lands without pattadar passbooks and some converted NALA lands have also been added in Telangana’s updated lists.
If your plot falls into any of these categories, registration may be rejected or blocked at the Sub-Registrar Office.
Why You Must Avoid Prohibited Lands
Buying prohibited land is not just risky, it can be financially disastrous.
- Registration refusal: SRO will not register your sale deed if the survey number is in the prohibited list.
- High risk of cancellation: Even if someone somehow registered earlier, the government can later cancel such transactions and reclaim land.
- No bank loan: Banks usually do not finance purchase or construction on prohibited or assigned lands.
- No clear title: You may never get a clear legal title, which means you cannot re-sell or develop peacefully.
Because of these reasons, every buyer in Telangana & AP must learn how to identify prohibited lands before paying token advance.
How to Identify Prohibited Lands in Telangana
In Telangana, the main tool to check prohibited lands is the TS Dharani portal, along with district-wise lists to be uploaded by the Revenue Department.
Using Dharani Portal – Prohibited Lands Search
You can check if a particular survey number is in the prohibited list using Dharani:
- Open the official Dharani portal and choose the “Prohibited Lands” or “(IM3) Prohibited Lands” option.
- Select District, Mandal, Village from the dropdown menu.
- Click “Fetch” or similar button to display the list.
- The portal will show survey number, extent, nature of land, classification, and whether it is prohibited.
Some third-party apps and tools also allow you to search prohibited properties in Telangana, but always cross-check with Dharani or official government links.
Village-Wise Prohibited Lands Lists in Telangana
Following High Court directions, Telangana is preparing a revised, updated list of prohibited lands, district-wise and village-wise.
- District Collectors are uploading these lists, and once final, they will be notified under Section 22-A and linked to both Dharani and Stamps & Registration portals.
- The survey numbers in this list will be locked to prevent new registrations.
So, before buying any plot in Telangana, especially in high-demand areas like Hyderabad outskirts, IT corridors, and newly developing layouts, insist on checking:
How to Identify Prohibited Lands in Andhra Pradesh (AP)
In AP, prohibited lands information is usually given through district websites, Sub-Registrar Office notices, and Section 22-A lists hosted online.
Check District Website – Prohibited Properties U/s 22-A
Many AP districts provide a separate page for “Prohibited Properties U/s 22(A)” where you can download Mandal-wise lists.
- For example, West Godavari district lists Mandal-wise and sub-registrar-wise prohibited properties under Section 22-A(1)(a)(b)(d), as well as endowment and Waqf properties under 22-A(1)(c).
- Some districts publish PDF lists in Telugu mentioning survey number, village, and type of prohibition.
Steps in AP:
- Visit your district’s official website from ap.gov.in domain.
- Search for “Prohibited Properties U/s 22(A)” or “నిషేధిత భూములు” section.
- Download the list related to your Mandal/Sub-Registrar Office and check your survey number.
Assigned Lands and Prohibited Transfers in AP
In AP, assigned lands given to landless poor are strongly protected by the Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977.
- Any transfer of assigned land (sale, gift, mortgage, etc.) is void and can be cancelled by authorities.
- Many such assigned lands appear in the prohibited lists under Section 22-A, and Sub-Registrars are not allowed to register them.
So if your seller says “this is old patta land given by government to my father/grandfather”, you must be very careful and verify whether it is assigned land.
Practical Steps Before Buying Any Plot in Telangana or AP
To keep things very simple, follow this basic checklist before you invest money in any plot:
- Step 1 – Check Prohibited List Online
- Step 2 – Verify if Land is Assigned / Government
- Step 3 – Cross-Check Land Classification
- Step 4 – Visit Local Authorities
- Step 5 – Take Legal Opinion from Property Lawyer
Common Red Flags Buyers Should Watch For
While dealing with plots in both Telangana and AP, be very cautious if you see:
- Very low price compared to nearby plots, with reason like “temporary issue in documents”
- Seller using only unregistered agreements and avoiding registered sale deed
- Saying “we will manage in Sub-Registrar Office” or “name is blocked but we have influence”
- Old D-form patta, conditional patta, or note that land was given by government for free
- Plots in lake beds, FTL buffer zones, government layouts, endowment lands, or forest fringes
In all such cases, do not rush. First, complete proper prohibited land and legal status verification.
Key SEO Focus and Related Keywords (for Readers and Buyers)
Throughout your research and property search, keep an eye on terms like:
- “Prohibited lands in Telangana”
- “Section 22-A prohibited properties list”
- “How to check prohibited land in Dharani”
- “Prohibited lands in Andhra Pradesh”
- “Assigned lands prohibition of transfers”
- “Government lands, endowment lands, Waqf lands in Telangana/AP”
Understanding these keywords will help you find official resources and reliable guides easily.
10 FAQs on Prohibited Lands in Telangana & AP
1. What exactly are prohibited lands under Section 22-A?
Prohibited lands under Section 22-A are properties that the state government has barred from registration due to public interest, such as government, assigned, forest, endowment, and Waqf lands.
2. How can I check if my land is prohibited in Telangana?
In Telangana, you can check through the Dharani portal’s Prohibited Lands option, by selecting district, Mandal, and village, and fetching the list for your survey number.
3. Is Dharani the only way to check prohibited lands in Telangana?
Dharani is the primary official source, but the government is also uploading district-wise 22-A lists and linking them with the Stamps & Registration portals. Always rely on official government sites.
4. How do I check prohibited lands in Andhra Pradesh?
In AP, visit your district’s official website and find the “Prohibited Properties U/s 22(A)” section. Download Mandal or SRO-wise lists and verify your survey number.
5. What are assigned lands, and why are they risky?
Assigned lands are government lands given to landless poor with a condition that they cannot be transferred. Under the Assigned Lands (Prohibition of Transfers) Act, 1977, such transfers are void and can be cancelled.
6. Can I regularise or convert prohibited land into normal land?
In some specific cases, governments announce regularisation schemes, but it fully depends on policy and category of land. There is no guarantee, and many lands remain permanently prohibited. Always treat them as high risk.
7. Will the Sub-Registrar register a sale deed if land is in prohibited list?
No. Once survey numbers are marked as prohibited under Section 22-A, Sub-Registrar Offices are bound to refuse registration of sale, gift, or transfer documents for those lands.
8. Can banks give home loans or plot loans on prohibited lands?
Generally, banks do not fund purchases on prohibited or assigned lands because the title is not safe and registration is restricted. Always check with your bank, but expect refusal in most such cases.
9. Is it safe to buy land near lakes, tanks, or forest areas?
Many lake beds, FTL areas, irrigation lands, and forest lands are either prohibited or heavily restricted. Before buying, check land classification with Revenue/Forest departments and verify through official lists.
10. Whom should I consult before buying a plot in Telangana or AP?
Always consult a property lawyer familiar with Telangana/AP laws, check with MRO/Sub-Registrar, and use government portals like Dharani and district websites before finalizing your purchase.
Call to Action: Safe Plot Buying with Expert Support
If you are planning to buy open plots or residential plots in and around Hyderabad, it is always better to choose verified, legally clear layouts instead of taking risk with prohibited or assigned lands. For carefully verified plots with proper approvals and documentation,
visit plotsforsalehyd.in (https://plotsforsalehyd.in), where you can explore genuine listings and get guidance tailored to Telangana buyers. This article is authored by Karna Raju, a Hyderabad-focused real estate content specialist who explains complex land laws, registrations, and approval issues in simple, practical language to help you invest safely and confidently in Telangana and AP.
