The Karnataka government on Wednesday issued a notification mandating a digital counselling system for transfers in the stamps and registration department, aiming to curb lobbying, bribery and undue influence in securing prime postings, particularly in high-value jurisdictions such as Bengaluru.
Changes after objections
The department made a few changes in the final notification after the Karnataka State Stamps and Registration Department Officials’ Association submitted a seven-page objection to the draft notification published on April 27. The association had sought exemption for office-bearers of recognised government employees’ associations from the strict application of transfer rules during their tenure, arguing that frequent transfers could hamper their organisational responsibilities. It had also demanded a separate seniority list for senior sub-registrars and sub-registrars and exemption from compulsory transfers for employees with less than one year of service remaining before retirement, citing family responsibilities, medical treatment, children’s education, care of elderly parents and retirement-related formalities.
Accepted demands
The government accepted some of the demands and excluded office-bearers of recognised government employees’ associations and employees nearing retirement from compulsory transfer provisions. It also approved a separate seniority list for senior sub-registrars and sub-registrars.
Key provisions of the new rules
Under the Karnataka Civil Services (Counselling Based Transfers in Stamps and Registration Department) Rules-2026, transfers of senior sub-registrars, sub-registrars, first division assistants (FDAs) and certain other officials will be carried out only through digital counselling. According to the notification, compulsory premature transfers will be allowed in cases involving criminal complaints, Lokayukta cases, departmental inquiries or serious allegations, and such officers will be posted only to non-executive or Zone-C offices.
Minimum service periods
The rules prescribe a minimum service period of two years for district registrars, head quarter assistants, senior sub-registrars and sub-registrars in one posting, while FDAs must complete four years in one office before becoming eligible for transfer.
Zone categorisation
The government has divided registration offices into Zone A, Zone B and Zone C categories. Zone A includes sub-registrar offices located within the Bengaluru Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA) limits and municipal corporation areas, while Zone-B covers other taluk-level offices and Zone-C consists of non-executive and special category offices.
Compulsory transfers
Under the new policy, senior sub-registrars and sub-registrars who have worked for five out of the last eight years in Zone A offices will face compulsory transfer outside the zone. FDAs and stenographers who have completed six out of eight years in Zone A offices will also be compulsorily transferred. The transfers will be conducted only through digital counselling.
Counselling calendar
The government has also laid down a counselling calendar between April and June every year, including publication of draft rank lists, objection period, final list publication and counselling process.
Exemptions
The rules provide exemptions from repetitive transfers for physically challenged employees, widows, unmarried women, divorcees and government servant couples seeking postings at the same location.
Disciplinary action
The notification stated that any attempt by officers to influence transfers will be treated as grave misconduct inviting disciplinary action under the Karnataka Civil Services Rules.
Special provisions for Kalyana Karnataka
Employees recruited under Article 371(J) for Kalyana Karnataka region posts cannot be transferred outside the region before completing 10 years of service there, it stated.
