The Delhi government has notified the 'Delhi Slum and Jhuggi-Jhopri Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2026', which provides for the rehabilitation of eligible residents across approximately 675 slum clusters in the city. Under the policy, beneficiaries may be allotted alternative accommodation anywhere in Delhi. One of its objectives is also to clear encroachments from government land to facilitate redevelopment projects.
Published in the Delhi Gazette on November 4, the new policy replaces the earlier rehabilitation guidelines and orders issued under the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) Act, 2010.
What Will Beneficiaries Get in Exchange for Rs 2 Lakh?
Under the new arrangement, eligible beneficiaries will have to contribute Rs 1.5 lakh towards alternative housing and an additional Rs 50,000 towards common-area maintenance for the first five years. The government may revise both amounts through future notifications.
The policy provides for one-bedroom flats with a minimum carpet area of 25 square metres. Each flat will include one bedroom, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet and a balcony.
Residents will also be responsible for paying electricity, water, property and other applicable charges.
Who Is Eligible for Rehabilitation?
The policy introduces a key eligibility condition based on the date of establishment of a slum settlement. Only households existing in eligible slum clusters before January 1, 2025, will be considered for rehabilitation.
Applicants must undergo residential verification and fulfil all other prescribed conditions. They must be Indian citizens and at least 18 years old.
Their names must also appear in the electoral roll issued before January 1, 2025, as well as in the electoral roll for the year in which the official survey is conducted.
Which Documents Are Required?
Applicants must possess at least one document from a list of 10 specified documents to establish their eligibility. The document must have been issued before the cut-off date and must be valid for the same address.
The accepted documents include a ration card carrying a photograph, an electricity bill, a driving licence, a passport, a bank or post office passbook and certain other government-issued certificates.
Aadhaar-based biometric authentication will be conducted for applicants and their family members.
Families that own a permanent house anywhere in India will be excluded from the policy. Government employees, including retired government employees, will also be ineligible for rehabilitation benefits.
Slum Residents Cannot Claim Housing as a Legal Right
The policy clearly states that no person living in a slum cluster can demand the allotment of a house as a matter of right.
However, it also provides protection against demolition in eligible cases. If a household fulfils all the prescribed eligibility conditions, its dwelling cannot be demolished until an alternative place of accommodation has been provided to the eligible residents.
One House Per Eligible Family
The government has also introduced restrictions to prevent multiple house allotments to the same family. As a general rule, each eligible family will receive only one house.
However, separate families living on different floors of the same structure may independently qualify for rehabilitation, provided each family fulfils all the prescribed eligibility conditions and submits the required documents.
Rehabilitation May Take Residents Away From Existing Neighbourhoods
Another important provision allows the government to relocate eligible residents to areas away from their existing settlements.
The government has stated that priority will be given to rehabilitating residents either at their original location or within a radius of three kilometres. However, if relocation within this distance is not feasible due to security concerns, infrastructure requirements, planning considerations, legal issues or other reasons, the administration may allot alternative accommodation elsewhere in Delhi.
This provision could have significant implications for families whose livelihoods depend on proximity to workplaces, schools and established communities.
Flats Cannot Be Sold or Transferred for 10 Years
The rehabilitation policy imposes a 10-year lock-in period on the flats allotted to beneficiaries. During this period, the properties cannot be sold or transferred.
Initially, the flats will be allotted on a leasehold basis. After completion of 10 years, ownership may be transferred without any conversion charges, provided all outstanding payments have been cleared and the prescribed conditions have been fulfilled.
Beneficiaries Cannot Rent Out Their Flats
The policy also prohibits beneficiaries from subletting their allotted flats. They cannot transfer possession to another person through a General Power of Attorney (GPA) or any other unauthorised arrangement.
If these restrictions are violated, the government may cancel the allotment after issuing an appropriate notice and providing the beneficiary an opportunity to present their case.
Government Land Encroachment Could Lead to Cancellation of Allotment
The policy also contains provisions against fresh encroachments on government land. If a beneficiary is found occupying government land after receiving a rehabilitation flat, the allotment may be cancelled and the flat may also be confiscated.
Residents declared ineligible will have the right to appeal against the decision within 30 days of receiving it. The appellate authority may also consider delayed appeals filed within an additional period of up to 180 days, provided sufficient reasons for the delay are presented.
The Delhi Slum and Jhuggi-Jhopri Rehabilitation and Resettlement Policy, 2026, therefore, establishes eligibility requirements, financial contributions, relocation conditions and restrictions on the use and transfer of allotted properties. Its implementation will determine how eligible households across the capital's approximately 675 slum clusters are accommodated under the new framework.
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