If you own a leasehold DDA property in Delhi and are waiting for conversion to freehold, the latest update needs to be understood carefully.
The Delhi Development Authority did not suddenly stop freehold conversion in August 2026. DDA had already put the receipt of fresh leasehold-to-freehold conversion applications on hold from 2 January 2026. The fresh development is that the Centre has now informed the Rajya Sabha that DDA’s residential conversion policy remains under review to rationalise and simplify the process, while conversion requests continue to be affected during this review.
The issue has also reached the Delhi High Court, where DDA disclosed that 1,373 conversion applications filed between 2020 and 2026 were pending, including 308 cases where conversion had already been approved but conveyance deeds had not been executed. DDA had collected approximately ₹155.06 crore in conversion charges from applications filed during this period.
DA freehold conversion: What has actually happened?
On 2 January 2026, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs communicated a change relating to the use of Delhi government circle rates for determining various land-related charges.
DDA subsequently said that further clarity was required on how those rates should apply specifically to freehold conversion charges. To avoid complications, DDA stopped receiving fresh freehold-conversion applications from 2 January 2026 until further orders.
The issue did not end there.
On 10 August 2026, Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Tokhan Sahu informed the Rajya Sabha that DDA’s existing residential conversion policy is being reviewed to make the process more rationalised, simplified and citizen-friendly. The parliamentary reply did not provide a date by which the review would finish or conversion services would resume.
DDA leasehold-to-freehold timeline
| Date | Development |
|---|---|
| 2 January 2026 | Fresh freehold-conversion applications put on hold |
| January–July 2026 | DDA and MoHUA discuss conversion-charge framework |
| 30 July 2026 | Delhi High Court records major backlog and directs urgent action |
| 10 August 2026 | Centre tells Rajya Sabha that conversion policy remains under review |
| 7 September 2026 | Delhi High Court matter listed for further hearing |
Delhi High Court reveals 1,373 pending conversion cases
This is the most significant part of the story for existing DDA property owners.
In its 30 July 2026 order, the Delhi High Court recorded data placed before it by DDA showing:
- 1,373 conversion applications filed between 2020 and 2026 were pending.
- In 308 applications, conversion approval had already been granted but conveyance deeds had still not been executed.
- DDA had collected approximately ₹155.06 crore as conversion charges from applications filed during 2020–2026.
The Court noted that hundreds of property owners had already applied and paid conversion fees, but there was no clarity about when their applications would move forward.
The Court also observed that prolonged delays in leasehold-to-freehold conversion can affect property owners seeking to sell property, finalise title or complete family settlements.
Fresh applications and old pending cases are not the same
This distinction is important.
Fresh applications
DDA’s January order specifically stated that receipt of fresh applications from 2 January 2026 onward was being put on hold until further orders.
Applications filed before 2 January
DDA had initially taken the position that applications received up to 1 January 2026, where the conversion fee had already been deposited, should continue to be processed using rates applicable before 2 January.
However, the High Court later found that a substantial number of these existing applications were still pending in practice.
DDA even wrote to MoHUA in July seeking permission to process applications received up to 1 January 2026 under the rate and policy applicable when those applications were originally filed.
Already approved cases
A third group consists of 308 applicants whose conversion had already been approved but whose conveyance deeds had not been executed. The High Court specifically highlighted this category.
Why is DDA reviewing the leasehold-to-freehold policy?
The immediate issue is linked to the methodology for determining conversion charges.
MoHUA’s January communication directed DDA to adopt circle rates for several land-related calculations. DDA subsequently pointed out that additional clarity was required on whether conversion charges should directly equal the applicable circle rate or be calculated using a factor or percentage linked to it.
The latest Rajya Sabha reply says the wider objective of the policy review is to:
rationalise the process, simplify it and make it more citizen-friendly.
Until that framework is finalised, owners should avoid assuming what the revised conversion charges will be.
Which DDA property owners could be affected?
DDA’s Housing Department officially handles leasehold-to-freehold conversion work for several residential categories, including:
- LIG flats
- MIG flats
- HIG/SFS flats
- Janta/EWS flats
- Other applicable housing categories handled under DDA’s conversion framework.
The original conversion framework also covers specified leasehold residential properties, subject to the conditions applicable to the individual property.
This does not mean every DDA property automatically qualifies for conversion. Eligibility depends on the property’s allotment/lease terms, title status and the applicable DDA policy.
What does the current hold mean for property owners?
For someone who already has a pending application, the most important question is where exactly the application stands.
There can be a major difference between:
Application submitted → Conversion fee paid → Documents under scrutiny → Conversion approved → Conveyance deed executed
The High Court’s findings show why simply saying “my conversion was approved” may not be enough if the final conveyance documentation remains pending.
DDA continues to maintain official online pages for Conversion to Freehold, freehold services for flats and plots, and its citizen-service systems.
What this update does NOT mean?
There is considerable scope for misleading headlines around this issue.
❌ “DDA ने Freehold Conversion permanently बंद कर दिया”
There is no such final announcement.
❌ “सभी pending applications reject हो गईं”
The available official and court material does not say that.
❌ “नई freehold policy लागू हो गई”
The revised policy is still under review.
✅ What is accurate?
The leasehold-to-freehold conversion process remains affected while DDA and the Centre review the residential conversion policy and conversion-charge framework.
That is the position supported by the latest official and parliamentary material.
What should an existing applicant check now?
If you have already applied for DDA freehold conversion, keep the following records ready:
- Conversion application/reference number
- Date of application
- Proof of conversion-fee payment
- DDA correspondence or approval
- Property allotment/lease documents
- Details of any outstanding DDA dues
- Status of conversion approval
- Status of conveyance deed
Most importantly, determine whether your case is merely pending, whether conversion has already been approved, or whether the conveyance deed itself is pending.
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