Property transactions in Chandigarh are set to become significantly costlier from April 1, with the administration notifying a sharp upward revision in collector rates across residential, commercial, agricultural, and village categories for 2026–27.The revised rates, applicable till March 31, 2027, replace the existing structure in force since April 1, 2025, and will directly impact stamp duty calculations, pushing up the base cost for buyers.Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Collector Nishant Kumar Yadav, who is also the Estate Officer, said the revised schedule has been notified and will come into force from April 1.“All stakeholders, including property buyers, sellers, and the general public, are advised to take note of the revised Collector rates for any property-related transactions from the effective date. The detailed schedule is available on the official website of the District Administration,” he told The Tribune.Residential sees steepest hikeThe sharpest increase has been recorded in the premium residential belt. Collector rates in Sectors 1 to 12 have been raised from Rs 1.78 lakh to Rs 2.37 lakh per square yard — a jump of 33.2%.Sectors 14 to 37 have seen a 22.8% rise (Rs 1.47 lakh to Rs 1.81 lakh per sq yd), while sectors beyond 38 have been revised upward by around 4% to Rs 1.33 lakh per sq yd.Independent dwelling units have been hiked by 21.8%, while “cheap house” category properties have seen a 24.3% increase, taking their benchmark value to Rs 78.26 lakh.Commercial rates surge, Elante doublesThe commercial segment has witnessed headline-grabbing revisions. Ground floor rates in Elante Mall have been doubled from Rs 15,600 to Rs 31,200 per sq ft — the steepest jump in the entire schedule.Sector 17 continues to remain the city’s costliest commercial hub, with SCO/SCF rates rising 6.8% to Rs 5.92 lakh per sq yd.Motor Market booths in Manimajra have gone up by over 15% to Rs 2.33 lakh per sq yd, while booth rates across key sectors have seen increases ranging between 8% and 12%.However, a few pockets, such as coal and timber markets, have seen marginal rationalisation.Industrial remains stableIndustrial areas have seen relatively modest changes. Phase I and II industrial plots have been increased by 3.5% to Rs 86,000 per sq yd, while Phase III rates remain unchanged at Rs 62,600 per sq yd.Agricultural land records highest jumpThe steepest percentage hike has been recorded in agricultural land rates. In Manimajra, land values have surged from Rs 3.22 crore to Rs 4.61 crore per acre — an increase of over 43%.Raipur Khurd and Behlana have seen a nearly 47% rise, while other villages too have recorded significant upward revisions across both large land parcels and smaller holdings.Village abadi areas also up sharplyIn village abadi areas, residential rates in Burail and Manimajra have been increased by 36.6% to Rs 73,200 per sq yd, while commercial rates have gone up by around 24% to Rs 1.78 lakh per sq yd.Impact on buyersThe hike will significantly raise the minimum transaction value for property registration. For instance, a 500 sq yd plot in Sectors 1–12 will now have a base valuation of about Rs 11.89 crore, up from Rs 8.93 crore last year, increasing the stamp duty burden by nearly Rs 3 crore in assessed value terms.Market outlookThe across-the-board hike is expected to push up property prices further in an already premium market like Chandigarh. While it may help curb undervaluation and boost government revenue, it is likely to hit end-users and genuine buyers the hardest, especially in the mid and high-end residential segments.With prime sectors, key commercial hubs, and even peripheral and village areas witnessing steep revisions, Chandigarh’s real estate is set to become even more expensive in the coming financial year.The dispute concerning the validity and administration of the RK Family Trust is currently pending before the Delhi High Court.