Bainanama deadline doubled: 60 days to register a sale agreement from 1 January 2026
A 2026 amendment to the registration law, in force from 1 January 2026, gives the parties 60 days from signing to present a bainanama (agreement for sale) for registration. The limit was 30 days.
The rule
Section 17A of the Registration Act 1908 requires a contract for sale of land or a flat to be in writing, signed and registered; section 54A of the Transfer of Property Act 1882 matches it. The 2026 amendment extends the time to present the bainanama for registration from 30 days to 60 days from signing.
Why registration matters
A bainanama does not transfer ownership — only a registered sale deed does. But an unregistered bainanama is weak evidence: the court will not order specific performance on it. If the seller later refuses to complete, the registered agreement is what carries your suit.
The completion date
The bainanama should state the date for completing the sale. If it does not, the law deems six months. Diary both dates: 60 days to register the agreement, and the completion date for the sale deed itself.
What it means for you
The extra 30 days removes the commonest bainanama defect we see. Use the time, but do not rely on it: register as soon as the advance is paid, before positions change.
Sources
Laws and forms behind this guide
Authentic texts hosted by BD Advocacy. Section numbers are the ones this guide relies on.
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