Defence land is a strategic national asset used for military stations, training grounds, airfields, ammunition depots, logistics facilities, accommodation and other essential requirements of the Armed Forces. Unauthorised occupation of such land can restrict operational use, complicate future infrastructure development and create long-running legal and administrative disputes.
In August 2024, the Ministry of Defence informed the Lok Sabha that approximately 10,354 acres of defence land were under encroachment. A later parliamentary reply, answered on 12 December 2025, reported approximately 11,152.16 acres. A September 2026 media report on an independent committee’s submission to the Supreme Court provided a more recent account of the continuing recovery challenge.
This article summarises the official parliamentary figures, highlights West Bengal’s position, explains why eviction can be difficult, and outlines the legal and administrative measures reported by the Government. Figures from different sources and dates are identified separately because their methods and reporting cut-offs may differ.
Latest available national statistics
| Indicator | Reported figure | Reference / context |
| Defence land under encroachment | 11,152.16 acres | Lok Sabha reply, Question No. 2249, 12 December 2025 |
| Total defence land | Approximately 18 lakh acres | Approximate national total cited in parliamentary information |
| Defence land under litigation | 8,113.04 acres | Separate category in the December 2025 reply |
| Vacant defence land identified as surplus | 45,906.02 acres | Separate category in the December 2025 reply |
Important: Encroached land, land under litigation and vacant land identified as surplus are separate reporting categories. They should not be added together as though they represent distinct, non-overlapping parcels. Land under litigation is not necessarily all encroached, and apparently vacant land is not automatically surplus to defence requirements.
Comparison between August 2024 and December 2025
| Particulars | August 2024 | December 2025 |
| Reported defence land under encroachment | 10,354.05 acres | 11,152.16 acres |
| Difference between reported totals | — | +798.11 acres |
| Change in reported area | — | Approximately +7.7% |
The reported encroached area rose by approximately 798 acres, or 7.7%, between these two parliamentary snapshots. This comparison does not, by itself, prove that 798 acres of new encroachment occurred during the period. Changes in identification, verification, record reconciliation or reporting may also affect the figures.
What was reported in September 2026?
Hindustan Times reported on 15 September 2026 that an independent committee examining defence land management had submitted its report to the Supreme Court on 10 September 2026. The report was said to record recovery of 2,242 acres between 1 January 2015 and July 2025, while more than 10,800 acres remained encroached. These reported figures have a different reporting context and should not be treated as directly interchangeable with the December 2025 parliamentary total.
State-wise defence land encroachment
The following figures reproduce the state/UT-wise data in Annexure B of the Ministry of Defence’s Lok Sabha reply to Unstarred Question No. 2249, answered on 12 December 2025. Figures are in acres.
| State / Union Territory | Encroached land (acres) |
| Andaman and Nicobar Islands | 21.348 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 57.6665 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 77.665 |
| Assam | 726.2104 |
| Bihar | 527.618 |
| Chhattisgarh | 75.900 |
| Delhi | 158.3715 |
| Goa | 5.1166 |
| Gujarat | 247.2109 |
| Haryana | 790.8894 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 61.1119 |
| Jharkhand | 302.022 |
| Karnataka | 167.9166 |
| Kerala | 1.717 |
| Lakshadweep | 0.080 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 1,733.206 |
| Maharashtra | 984.9204 |
| Manipur | 5.6478 |
| Meghalaya | 13.3402 |
| Mizoram | 0.003 |
| Nagaland | 356.100 |
| Odisha | 0.615 |
| Punjab | 449.458193 |
| Rajasthan | 443.0685 |
| Sikkim | 64.844 |
| Tamil Nadu | 202.451 |
| Telangana | 96.1939 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 1,639.334922 |
| Uttarakhand | 56.7006 |
| Jammu and Kashmir (UT) | 311.8692 |
| Ladakh (UT) | 29.581 |
| West Bengal | 1,543.78121 |
| Total | 11,152.15873 |
Note: Values retain the precision reported in the parliamentary annexure. Small differences in totals may occur when figures are rounded for display.
States with the largest reported areas
| Rank by reported area | State | Area (acres, approx.) |
| 1 | Madhya Pradesh | 1,733.21 |
| 2 | Uttar Pradesh | 1,639.33 |
| 3 | West Bengal | 1,543.78 |
| 4 | Maharashtra | 984.92 |
| 5 | Haryana | 790.89 |
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra together account for approximately 5,342 acres, or about 48% of the national total in the December 2025 annexure. Area figures alone do not reveal the number of individual cases, the number of people affected, the exact parcel locations or the legal status of each occupant.
West Bengal: A significant change in reported figures
| Particulars | Area |
| Reported in August 2024 | 816.0484 acres |
| Reported in December 2025 | 1,543.78121 acres |
| Increase in reported area | 727.73281 acres |
| Approximate percentage increase | 89.2% |
| Vacant defence land identified as surplus (December 2025) | 2,060.5872 acres |
The reported area for West Bengal increased by approximately 728 acres between the two parliamentary replies. This is a significant change in the published figures and merits parcel-level verification and transparent reporting of recovery action. However, it would be premature to conclude that all of the difference represents newly created encroachment: the parliamentary replies do not, by themselves, explain the reasons for the change.
The 2,060.5872 acres identified as vacant and surplus in West Bengal is a separate category. It must not be confused with the 1,543.78121 acres reported under encroachment.
Questions that warrant further official clarification include: which parcels are affected; how much land has been recovered; how many cases are pending before authorities or courts; what coordination is occurring with district administration and police; and whether vulnerable boundaries are adequately demarcated and monitored. The national parliamentary figures do not answer all these location-specific questions.
Why defence land is strategically important
The Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE) has described the Ministry of Defence landholding as approximately 17.95 lakh acres, including around 1.60 lakh acres within 62 notified cantonments and approximately 16.35 lakh acres outside cantonments.
- Army, Navy and Air Force establishments and operational facilities.
- Military training grounds, firing ranges and exercise areas.
- Airfields, ammunition depots, logistics and supply facilities.
- Military accommodation, offices and other defence infrastructure.
- Strategic land reserves for future expansion and operational preparedness.
Some land may look unused to the public but may be reserved for training, mobilisation, future construction, accommodation or other military requirements. The Ministry clarified in its December 2025 reply that apparently vacant land is not automatically surplus to defence requirements.
What counts as encroachment?
Defence land encroachment generally refers to unauthorised occupation, possession, construction or use of land belonging to the Ministry of Defence without lawful authority. Examples may include unauthorised residential or commercial structures, extensions of adjoining property beyond lawful boundaries, shops or sheds, and continued occupation after a licence or other permission has lawfully expired or ended.
A distinction must be maintained between illegal encroachment, authorised occupation under a valid lease or licence, occupation by a government agency, and a disputed land claim. Each situation can have different legal consequences and requires examination of the relevant records and facts.
In its August 2024 reply, the Ministry stated that some defence land was occupied by State Government agencies for offices or public utilities. The reply did not report any established connivance by State Government authorities in the encroachments covered by that answer. Allegations of collusion should therefore not be made without case-specific evidence.
Why is removal of encroachment difficult?
Old records and boundary disputes
Some parcels have a long administrative history involving grants, leases, land classifications and changes in adjoining properties. Inconsistent records or unclear boundaries may require surveys and verification before enforcement can proceed.
Occupation outside cantonments
The September 2026 committee findings, as reported in the press, highlighted difficulties in recovering land outside cantonments. Defence Estates Officers may need coordination with district administration, civic bodies and police to implement lawful eviction action.
Litigation and disputed possession
The December 2025 parliamentary reply reported approximately 8,113.04 acres under litigation. Such disputes may concern boundaries, ownership, lease rights or eviction proceedings. This figure should not be assumed to represent only encroached land.
Long-standing occupation and public utilities
Some cases involve public utilities or government offices. Depending on the legal position, resolution may require coordination over relocation, alternative arrangements, land exchange or compensation. Such circumstances do not automatically legalise unauthorised occupation.
Preventing fresh encroachment
Recovered parcels need continuing protection through clear demarcation, inspection, boundary maintenance and monitoring. Without follow-up, land may become vulnerable to renewed occupation.
Laws and legal procedures
Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971
The Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 provides a statutory mechanism for eviction from covered public premises. Depending on the case, the procedure can involve the competent Estate Officer, notice, consideration of the occupant’s response, an eviction order and remedies available under the Act. Applicable procedural safeguards must be followed.
Cantonments Act, 2006
The Ministry of Defence also cited the Cantonments Act, 2006, in its parliamentary reply as part of the legal framework relevant to action against encroachments. The applicable provision and procedure depend on the land’s status, the authority responsible for it and the facts of the case.
Other property, land-record or civil remedies may also be relevant in particular circumstances. This article is an informational summary, not legal advice. The exact law and remedy should be checked against the official legislation and competent authority.
Government measures to prevent and remove encroachment
Regular inspections and annual certification
The Ministry reported regular inspection of defence land and annual certification by the concerned offices under applicable rules.
Anti-encroachment drives
Removal action is undertaken after following due process and coordinating with police and district administration, as appropriate.
Digitisation through Raksha Bhoomi
The Ministry reported that defence land records in General Land Registers (GLRs) and Military Land Registers (MLRs) have been entered into the Raksha Bhoomi system and are updated periodically.
GIS and satellite imagery
DGDE has developed satellite-imagery-based change detection and land-use analysis tools to help identify changes on defence land and monitor action by field authorities.
Threat assessment and boundary protection
The Ministry has reported developing a methodology to assess encroachment threats and allocating funds for boundary walls, fencing and boundary pillars at vulnerable locations.
Public reporting
The August 2024 reply stated that a module for reporting encroachments had been enabled on the DGDE website in February 2020. The current availability of the reporting facility should be checked on the official website.
Official website: Directorate General of Defence Estates (DGDE)
September 2026 committee report and Supreme Court proceedings
According to Hindustan Times reporting dated 15 September 2026, the Ministry of Defence constituted an independent committee on 14 July 2025 to examine defence land management issues. The four-member committee reportedly submitted its report to the Supreme Court on 10 September 2026 in connection with public-interest litigation concerning defence land encroachment.
| Organisation | Encroached area reported by the committee |
| Directorate General of Defence Estates | Approximately 4,299 acres |
| Indian Army | Approximately 4,153 acres |
| Indian Air Force | Approximately 1,739 acres |
| Indian Navy | Approximately 546 acres |
These are organisational figures reported by the newspaper and should not be confused with the state-wise figures in the parliamentary annexure. The report said the committee recommended a comprehensive, time-bound mechanism involving the Union Government and concerned State Governments, with targeted attention to Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra.
Recommendations reported by the media should not be described as binding judicial directions unless the relevant Supreme Court order confirms that status.
Is vacant defence land available for other purposes?
The December 2025 parliamentary reply reported approximately 45,906 acres of vacant defence land identified as surplus to the requirements of the Armed Forces. Details had been circulated to other Central Government departments to ascertain their requirements.
Other land that appears unused may still be required for training, mobilisation, future construction under Key Location Plans or military accommodation. Requests to transfer defence land for public infrastructure or utilities are considered on their merits and must not compromise essential defence functions. Depending on the case, arrangements may involve exchange of land of equal value, cash compensation or infrastructure of equivalent value.
Surplus-land identification, authorised transfer and recovery of encroached land are separate processes.
How can suspected encroachment be reported?
- Identify the location and record the locality, nearby landmarks and any available plot or survey details. Do not enter a restricted defence area.
- Collect lawful supporting material, such as available land records and photographs taken from a lawful public location.
- Consult DGDE to identify the relevant Defence Estates Officer or other competent land authority.
- Submit a written complaint explaining the suspected occupation and requesting verification of the land’s status and appropriate lawful action.
- Keep a copy of the complaint and its acknowledgement or reference number.
- If the matter remains unresolved, follow up with the competent higher authority or an applicable official grievance mechanism.
Do not attempt to remove occupants, demolish structures, enter restricted premises or interfere with defence installations. Ownership and encroachment disputes must be addressed through lawful procedures.
Frequently asked questions
How much defence land is encroached upon in India?
The Ministry of Defence reported approximately 11,152.16 acres in the Lok Sabha reply answered on 12 December 2025. A September 2026 media report on the committee’s findings said more than 10,800 acres remained encroached. These figures come from different reporting contexts.
How much defence land is encroached upon in West Bengal?
The December 2025 parliamentary annexure recorded approximately 1,543.78 acres, compared with 816.05 acres in the August 2024 reply. The replies do not establish that the entire difference represents new encroachment.
Which state has the largest reported area?
Madhya Pradesh, at approximately 1,733.21 acres, followed by Uttar Pradesh at 1,639.33 acres and West Bengal at 1,543.78 acres in the December 2025 annexure.
Which laws are relevant to eviction?
The Ministry cited the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 1971 and the Cantonments Act, 2006. The applicable procedure depends on the parcel and circumstances.
Is all vacant defence land surplus?
No. Land that appears unused may be reserved for training, mobilisation, future construction or other military requirements.
Can citizens report suspected encroachment?
The Ministry reported a DGDE encroachment-reporting module in February 2020. Check the official DGDE website for the current reporting channel.
How much defence land is under litigation?
The December 2025 parliamentary reply reported approximately 8,113.04 acres under litigation, as a separate category from the encroachment total.
Conclusion
The available parliamentary data and the September 2026 committee reporting show that defence land encroachment remains a significant land-management issue. The reported increase from approximately 10,354 acres in August 2024 to 11,152 acres in December 2025 warrants careful examination of records, surveys and recovery progress, but does not by itself establish the exact amount of new encroachment.
Priorities should include accurate parcel-level verification, timely legal proceedings, boundary protection, coordination between defence and civil authorities, and continued monitoring of recovered land. West Bengal merits particular attention because the area reported under encroachment increased substantially between the two parliamentary replies. The objective should be to protect defence assets while ensuring that eviction, dispute resolution and authorised transfers follow the law and appropriate procedural safeguards.
Sources and further reading
- Lok Sabha Question No. 2249 — Status of Defence Land, 12 December 2025
- Lok Sabha Question No. 3138 — Encroachment on Defence Land, 9 August 2024
- Directorate General of Defence Estates — official website
- DGDE — Lands Division
- DGDE — Centre of Excellence and land-monitoring technology
- Hindustan Times — report on the independent committee, September 2026
Editorial note: State-wise figures are drawn from the cited Ministry of Defence parliamentary reply. The September 2026 committee developments and organisational breakdown are based on media reporting and are identified as such. The article is informational and should not be treated as legal advice.