B.K. Agarwal

He is a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer with experience of about 36 years in senior management positions in the Government dealing with policy-making, implementation of large-scale government programs in various sectors and land administration. He is a member of the Working Group on STANDARDS constituted by the Government of India for implementing the National Geospatial Policy, 2022 in the Land Sector. He is also an Advisor to the National Monitoring Committee on Rehabilitation and Resettlement, Department of Land Resources, Government of India. He remained the Chairperson of the Expert Committee on the SWAMITVA Scheme in 2022. He has worked as Secretary, in the Government of India and as Chief Secretary, in Himachal Pradesh. Author of the book "Land Registration: Global Practices and Lessons for India". Has in-depth knowledge of land-related laws and land administration in India. Has studied extensively land administration systems in Europe and America. His articles on various subjects related to land administration have been published in newspapers and journals. Frequently invited by educational institutes to deliver lectures on topics related to land administration and property law. Has been speaking at conferences and seminars as a Land Administration Expert.

He is Founding Member of the Centre for Research in Schemes and Policies (CRISP).

As Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Deputy Commissioner and Divisional Commissioner in Himachal Pradesh, has handled several crucial land administration tasks, viz., adjudication of land title disputes, making of land title records, preparation of cadastral maps and registration of land transfer deeds. Acquired in-depth knowledge of issues relating to urban land management during five years stint as Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. His Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Civil Engineering equip him with the required theoretical knowledge to understand the technical aspects of GIS, cadastral survey and mapping, which are essential parts of land administration. As a Scholar-in-Residence at the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow researched land administration systems in India and other countries. The report on his research submitted to the Government has received wide appreciation. Has written a thesis 'Conclusive Land Title System for India' while pursuing M.Phil. from Panjab University.