Guidance Value in Karnataka explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Guidance value in Karnataka is the government-notified minimum value at which a property can be registered, fixed by the Department of Stamps and Registration. Stamp duty and registration charges are computed on the higher of the sale value or guidance value, checkable street-wise and sub-registrar-wise on the Kaveri Online Services portal.
Overview
Guidance value is Karnataka’s term for what other states call the circle rate or ready reckoner value. It is the minimum value the government assigns to land and buildings, below which a property cannot be registered for stamp-duty purposes. It protects state revenue from under-declared prices and gives buyers a valuation floor to reference.
Applicable Law and Authority
Guidance value is fixed and revised by the Karnataka Department of Stamps and Registration under the Karnataka Stamp Act, 1957, with registration governed by the Registration Act, 1908. The Central Valuation Committee assists in determining values. Online valuation and registration services run through the Kaveri Online Services portal, where guidance values are published location-wise.
How Guidance Value Is Structured
Guidance value is set granularly — sub-registrar-wise, then hobli/village-wise, and often street-wise — separately for different property types such as land, residential apartments, commercial space and agricultural land. Two properties on adjacent streets can carry different values. Composite guidance value for apartments accounts for the undivided share of land plus construction.
Illustrative Bands
The bands below are illustrative to show how widely values differ and must be verified on the Kaveri portal for your exact street.
| Location profile | Indicative guidance value |
|---|---|
| Prime central Bengaluru street | High (per sq. ft / sq. m) |
| Suburban layout | Moderate |
| Outskirts / rural hobli | Lower |
These are indicative only — the notified value for your specific street and property type is what applies.
How to Check the Guidance Value
To look up guidance value for a Karnataka property:
- Open the Kaveri Online Services portal of the Department of Stamps and Registration.
- Use the guidance-value / valuation search and select the district and sub-registrar office.
- Drill down to the hobli/village and then the street name or survey number.
- Read the notified value against the correct property type — apartment, site/plot, commercial or agricultural.
The portal also offers a stamp-duty and registration-fee calculator that applies the guidance value to your figures.
Worked Example
Suppose an apartment of 1,000 sq. ft in Bengaluru has a composite guidance value of ₹6,500 per sq. ft (illustrative — verify current value), giving a guidance value of ₹65 lakh, while the agreement value is ₹62 lakh. Stamp duty is computed on ₹65 lakh, the higher figure. If the agreement value were ₹70 lakh, duty would be on ₹70 lakh. The applicable stamp-duty percentage and cess are set by the Karnataka Stamp Act, so confirm the current rate on the portal.
Points to Note
Guidance value is revised periodically and can move sharply in fast-developing areas. Because it is street-specific and changes over time, any value you saw earlier is indicative — re-check the live figure on the Kaveri portal before drafting the deed. Registering below the guidance value invites a shortfall demand and additional duty at the sub-registrar’s office.