In a landmark move to boost women’s empowerment and financial inclusion, the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government has approved a 1% stamp duty relief for women purchasing properties valued up to Rs 1 crore. The revised policy, effective from July 29, 2025, marks a significant expansion from the earlier cap, which limited the exemption to properties worth only up to Rs 10 lakh.

What Does the New Policy Offer?

Women property buyers in UP will now pay 1% less stamp duty for properties up to Rs 1 crore, leading to potential savings of up to Rs 1 lakh at the time of registration.

The rebate has broadened its scope, dramatically increasing the number of prospective beneficiaries, especially in urban regions like Noida, Ghaziabad, and Greater Noida, where many properties are priced within this range.

Why Is This Important?

Boosts Women’s Asset Ownership: The measure aims to increase the number of women property owners, offering them both a financial benefit and a pathway to greater social respect and economic independence.

Encourages First-Time and Middle-Class Buyers: Real estate experts highlight that the relief will largely benefit mid-segment buyers, a group that often includes first-time homeowners and middle-class families.

Supports Broader Government Initiatives: This policy links with the Mission Shakti program and aligns with recent central government proposals for stamp duty concessions favoring women, intensifying efforts towards financial empowerment.

Immediate Impact

In Noida alone, about 30% of all properties registered in 2024–25 have been in women’s names, with over 73,000 out of 1.8 lakh properties registered to female owners. The new policy is expected to increase this percentage further.

On a property valued at Rs 1 crore, a woman now saves Rs 1 lakh compared to male buyers. For a Rs 50 lakh property, the saving is Rs 50,000, making homeownership more accessible and attractive for women buyers.

Challenges and Considerations

While welcomed widely, some real estate groups and buyers have noted that the cap could be raised further, especially in cities where affordable housing options below Rs 1 crore are becoming scarce due to rising prices.

Comparisons are being drawn with states like Delhi, where women already benefit from a lower 4% stamp duty (compared to 6% for men), irrespective of the property’s value.

Real Estate Perspective

Industry leaders regard this as a progressive step, likely to spur greater interest from women purchasers and families considering joint ownership. Comments from property associations and experts emphasize that such measures not only help individual buyers but also make broader strides toward gender equality in asset ownership and contribute to healthier, more inclusive urban development.

Conclusion

The 1% stamp duty relief for women buying properties worth up to Rs 1 crore in Uttar Pradesh is a welcome and impactful initiative. It provides meaningful financial savings, encourages more women to become homeowners, and supports ongoing government efforts for gender equity and empowerment in society. As the real estate market reacts to this change, the broader hope is that other states will adopt similar measures, creating a nationwide wave of support for women in property ownership.