What is Guideline Value?

Every state government in India publishes an official minimum property value for each locality — based on property type, area, and road access. This government-set floor price is the Guideline Value. Different states call it different things — Circle Rate in Delhi and UP, Ready Reckoner Rate in Maharashtra, Jantri in Gujarat — but the concept is identical.

Its primary purpose is to prevent stamp duty evasion. Before guideline values existed, buyers and sellers often declared artificially low sale prices in their registration documents to reduce stamp duty. The government counters this by mandating that stamp duty must be paid on whichever is higher — the declared price or the guideline value.

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Worked example: You buy a flat in Bangalore for ₹85 lakh. The guideline value for that locality is ₹92 lakh. The Sub-Registrar calculates stamp duty on ₹92 lakh (not ₹85 lakh). At Karnataka's 5.6% rate: ₹92L × 5.6% = ₹5,15,200 stamp duty — regardless of your actual purchase price.

State-wise Names and Online Portals

StateLocal NameCheck Online AtRevised
KarnatakaGuideline Valuekaveri.karnataka.gov.inPeriodically
MaharashtraReady Reckoner Rateigrmaharashtra.gov.inAnnually (April)
Tamil NaduBasic Value / Guideline Valuetnreginet.gov.inPeriodically
DelhiCircle RateDelhi Govt Registration PortalAs notified
Uttar PradeshCircle Rateigrsup.gov.inAnnually
TelanganaMarket Valueregistration.telangana.gov.inPeriodically
GujaratJantri Rategarvi.gujarat.gov.inAs notified
HaryanaCollector Rate / Circle Ratejamabandi.nic.inAnnually

Guideline Value vs Market Value

AspectGuideline ValueMarket Value
Set ByState government — official notificationBuyer and seller — open market negotiation
PurposeMinimum floor for stamp duty calculationActual transaction price
RevisionAnnually or periodically by governmentContinuously — driven by demand and supply
RelationshipOften lags market value in hot areasUsually higher in prime micro-markets
Stamp Duty UseUsed when higher than declared sale priceUsed when higher than guideline value
IT Act (Section 50C)Deemed sale price if you sell below itActual consideration received
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Income Tax — Section 50C trap: If you sell a property below the guideline value, the Income Tax department treats the guideline value as your actual sale consideration for capital gains tax purposes. You may be taxed on a profit you never received. Always price property sales at or above the guideline value to avoid this deemed capital gains exposure.

How to Check Guideline Value Online — Step by Step

1

Go to Your State's Portal

Visit the official registration department website for your state. Use the table above for direct links. Kaveri Online for Karnataka, IGR Maharashtra, TNReginet for Tamil Nadu.

2

Find the Guideline Value / Stamp Duty Calculator Section

Look for "Guidance Value", "Ready Reckoner", "Circle Rate", or "Stamp Duty Calculator" in the menu. Most portals have it prominently on the homepage.

3

Enter Property Location Details

Select district, taluk or tehsil, village or locality name, and property type (residential apartment, independent house, commercial, or land). Some portals also ask for road width category.

4

Note the Value and Calculate

The portal displays guideline value per sq ft or per sq m. Multiply by your property area to get the guideline value. If your sale price is higher, stamp duty is on sale price. If guideline value is higher, stamp duty is on guideline value.

What This Means for You as a Buyer

When budgeting for a property purchase, always check the guideline value before committing. If the guideline value is significantly higher than the agreed sale price, your stamp duty will be higher than you expected based on the purchase price alone.

For under-construction projects, check the guideline value at the time of registration (possession) — not at the time of booking. Guideline values can increase between your booking date and your possession date, affecting your registration cost.

Stamp Duty Registration Charges Ready Reckoner Rate Sale Deed TDS on Property Property Tax Mutation

Frequently Asked Questions

Guideline Value is the minimum property value set by the state government for stamp duty calculation. When you register a property, stamp duty is computed on whichever is higher — your actual sale price or the guideline value. It is called Ready Reckoner Rate in Maharashtra, Circle Rate in Delhi and UP, Basic Value in Tamil Nadu, and Jantri in Gujarat.
Market value is the actual price negotiated between buyer and seller in the open market. Guideline value is the government-set minimum for stamp duty. In rapidly appreciating localities — like IT corridors or prime residential areas — market value can be 30–80% higher than guideline value. In slow markets, they tend to be closer. Stamp duty is always paid on whichever is higher.
No. The Sub-Registrar will not register a property at a value below the guideline value. If your declared sale price is lower, stamp duty will still be calculated on the guideline value. Additionally, if you sell below guideline value, the Income Tax department can treat the guideline value as your sale consideration under Section 50C and tax you on deemed capital gains.
Revision frequency varies by state. Maharashtra revises Ready Reckoner Rates annually every April. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu revise periodically — typically every 1–3 years. Delhi's Circle Rates are revised as notified by the state government. In practice, guideline values often lag behind actual market prices, especially in fast-growing micro-markets.
Visit kaveri.karnataka.gov.in and navigate to Stamp Duty Guidance Value. Select Bangalore Urban as the district, then your taluk (Bangalore North, South, East, or West), then your village or locality name. Select property type as Residential Apartment. The guideline value per sq ft will be displayed. Multiply by the carpet or super built-up area (as applicable) to get your minimum registration value.
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