Quick answer: Stamp duty typically ranges from 4% to 8% of the property value in India, plus registration charges of about 1%. Women buyers get a 1–2% discount in most major states. Always check the current rates on your state's registration portal before signing.
What is stamp duty?
Stamp duty is a state government tax you must pay when you purchase or transfer immovable property. It is calculated as a percentage of the property's transaction value or the government-set circle rate (guidance value / ready reckoner rate), whichever is higher.
Stamp duty is paid by purchasing stamp paper or via e-stamping before or at the time of registering the sale deed at the Sub-Registrar's office. An unstamped or insufficiently stamped document is not admissible as evidence in court.
State-wise stamp duty rates (2025)
The rates below are for residential property purchases. Commercial property rates may differ. Always verify with your state registration department as rates can change with state budgets.
| State | Stamp Duty (Men) | Stamp Duty (Women) | Registration Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka† | 5% | 3% | 1% (max ₹15 lakh) |
| Maharashtra (excl. Mumbai) | 5% | 4% | 1% |
| Maharashtra (Mumbai)‡ | 6% | 5% | 1% |
| Delhi | 6% | 4% | 1% |
| Tamil Nadu | 7% | 7% | 4% (capped at ₹4 lakh) |
| Kerala | 8% | 8% | 2% |
| Telangana | 4% | 4% | 0.5% |
| Andhra Pradesh | 5% | 5% | 1% |
| Uttar Pradesh | 7% | 6% | 1% |
| Gujarat | 4.9% | 3.9% | 1% |
| Rajasthan | 6% | 5% | 1% |
| Punjab | 7% | 5% | 1% |
| Haryana | 7% | 5% | 1% |
| West Bengal | 6% | 6% | 1% |
| Madhya Pradesh | 7.5% | 7.5% | 1% (residential) |
Note: Stamp duty rates change with state budgets. The figures above are indicative and may not reflect the latest amendments. Always verify the current rate at your state's official registration and stamps department website before executing any documents.
† Karnataka (Bengaluru / BBMP areas): An additional 10% surcharge on stamp duty applies to properties in BBMP limits. This makes the effective rate approximately 5.5% for men and 3.3% for women in Bengaluru — not 5% / 3%. Verify the applicable surcharge for your specific zone with the Karnataka Stamps Department.
‡ Maharashtra (Mumbai / MMR): An additional 1% Metro cess applies to properties in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, making the effective rate approximately 7% for men. Pune and other municipal areas may have additional local body tax.
Under-construction properties: GST (5% for regular projects; 1% for affordable housing) is levied on under-construction properties in addition to stamp duty. GST does not apply to resale / ready-to-move properties where occupancy certificate has been issued. Always clarify with your developer.
How stamp duty is calculated
Stamp duty = Stamp Duty Rate × (Higher of Transaction Value or Circle Rate)
Example: You are buying a 2 BHK in Bengaluru (BBMP limits) at ₹80 lakh. The government guidance value for that area is ₹75 lakh. Since ₹80 lakh is higher, stamp duty is calculated on ₹80 lakh.
- Base stamp duty (man buyer) = 5% × ₹80 lakh = ₹4 lakh
- BBMP surcharge = 10% of stamp duty = ₹40,000
- Total stamp duty (man buyer) ≈ ₹4.4 lakh
- Total stamp duty (woman buyer, 3% + surcharge) ≈ ₹2.64 lakh
- Registration charges = 1% × ₹80 lakh = ₹80,000 (capped at ₹15 lakh)
Total outgo on top of the property price: approximately ₹5.2 lakh for a male buyer and ₹3.44 lakh for a female buyer in Bengaluru. Surcharges vary by zone — always confirm with the Karnataka Stamps Department or a local property lawyer before budgeting.
Registering in a woman's name: is it worth it?
In states like Karnataka, Delhi, and UP, registering the property in a woman's name (or jointly with a woman as the primary owner) saves 1–2% in stamp duty. On a ₹1 crore property, that is ₹1–2 lakh in savings.
For joint loans, most banks allow a lower interest rate (typically 0.05–0.10% less) when the primary applicant is a woman — further compounding the savings over a 20-year loan.
How to pay stamp duty
- Franking — Pay through an authorised bank; a stamp is affixed to the document. Availability varies by city and bank.
- Stamp paper — Purchase non-judicial stamp paper from a licensed vendor (for smaller amounts) and execute the agreement on it.
- e-Stamping — Most states now offer online stamp duty payment through SHCIL (shcilestamp.com) or state portals. A unique certificate is generated which you attach to the sale deed.
After stamp duty: property registration
Paying stamp duty alone does not give you legal ownership. You must also register the sale deed at the Sub-Registrar's office within 4 months of execution. Registration gives the transaction legal validity and public notice of the transfer.
Registration requires: the original sale deed, stamp duty payment proof, identity documents of buyer and seller, two witnesses, and payment of registration charges. The process usually takes 1–3 hours and requires both parties (or their power-of-attorney holders) to be present.