If you’re buying, selling, or gifting a home in 2025, one thing’s clear:
You need more than design sense — you need legal awareness.
July 2025 brings three major updates that every Indian and NRI property buyer must know:
- 🧾 New stamp duty rules across Indian states
- 📈 Updated Cost Inflation Index (CII) from the Income Tax Department
- 🌏 Streamlined property rules for NRIs, especially around gifting, income tax, and repatriation
If those terms sound complicated — don’t worry.
This blog breaks it all down in plain English.
📌 Quick Overview (TL;DR)
● Stamp Duty in many states is now linked to market-ready reckoner values
● New Inflation Index = 363 for FY 2025–26, affecting capital gains tax
● NRIs can now gift Indian property to relatives more easily with fewer RBI approvals
● Repatriation limits and TDS rules simplified for overseas income transfer
Let’s unpack each of these July 2025 updates in detail 👇
🧾 Part 1: New Stamp Duty Updates – July 2025
❓ What Is Stamp Duty?
Stamp duty is a tax you pay to the state government when you buy or register a property. Think of it as legal proof that your transaction is real and recorded.
📢 What’s New in July 2025?
Many state governments — including Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Delhi NCR — have made updates to:
● Stamp duty rates
● Circle rate alignments
● E-stamping and online portals
📍 Haryana Stamp Duty 2025 (Ambala, Panchkula, Gurgaon)
| Type of Buyer | Urban Area Duty | Rural Area Duty |
|---|---|---|
| Male | 7% | 5% |
| Female | 5% | 3% |
| Joint (Male + Female) | 6% | 4% |
▪ Note: In Ambala, stamp duty is calculated on the higher of sale value or collector rate (circle rate).
⚠️ Important July 2025 Update:
Haryana & Karnataka now impose a 1% surcharge on properties registered by non-agriculturists in rural zones. This is to control speculative land buying.
💡 Pro Tip for Buyers:
Want to reduce stamp duty?
● Consider registering in a female family member’s name
● Avoid undervaluing property — it invites tax scrutiny and penalties
● Check your city’s collector rate — that’s the government’s minimum rate to calculate duty
📈 Part 2: Cost Inflation Index (CII) – July 2025 Update
❓ What Is the CII?
The Cost Inflation Index (CII) helps calculate capital gains tax when you sell a property. It adjusts the purchase price of your asset for inflation.
This reduces the tax you owe on long-term gains.
🗓️ FY 2025–26 (Assessment Year 2026–27)
The CII is now 363, up from 348 in FY 2024–25.
📊 Why It Matters
If you bought a property in 2012 and sold it in 2025, here’s how CII helps:
- You index the cost using CII values:
- CII in 2012–13: 200
- CII in 2025–26: 363
- Formula:
Indexed Cost = (Original Cost) × (363 ÷ 200)
So, a ₹40,00,000 house bought in 2012 is treated as ₹72,60,000 for capital gains tax in 2025.
💡 Result: You pay less tax, because your gain looks smaller after inflation.
🧾 CII Table Snapshot (Last 5 Years)
| Year | CII Value |
|---|---|
| 2021–22 | 317 |
| 2022–23 | 331 |
| 2023–24 | 348 |
| 2024–25 | 348 |
| 2025–26 | 363 ✔️ |
🏦 Who Should Care?
● Property sellers (long-term)
● Builders transferring assets
● NRIs selling inherited property
● Tax consultants and CA firms
🌍 Part 3: July 2025 NRI Property Rule Updates (Simplified)
❓ Can NRIs Buy Property in India?
Yes — under the FEMA Act, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can buy:
● Any number of residential or commercial properties
● But they cannot buy agricultural land, plantations, or farmhouses without RBI permission
🔄 What’s New for NRIs in July 2025?
July 2025 brings 3 major simplifications:
✅ 1. NRI Gifting Rules Simplified
● Now, NRIs can gift Indian property to:
▪ Parents, siblings, children, or relatives
▪ Without prior RBI approval (for residential or commercial property)
● The gift must be:
▪ Without monetary exchange
▪ Properly documented with registered gift deed
▪ Declared in India under Section 56 of the Income Tax Act
▪ Note: Agricultural land still requires special approval to gift.
✅ 2. Repatriation of Sale Proceeds – New Clarity
When NRIs sell property, they can repatriate (send abroad) up to:
● $1 million USD per year, including all assets (not just property)
● Must show proof of:
▪ Purchase via foreign funds (NRE/NRO account)
▪ Valid property ownership title
▪ Updated Rule: Sale proceeds from inherited properties can now be repatriated without special RBI application, if the original ownership is clear.
✅ 3. TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) Rules for NRI Sellers
From July 2025:
● TDS on property sale by NRIs = 20% + cess, unless indexed capital gain proof is shown
● If selling before 2 years (short-term), TDS = 30%
● Buyers must obtain Form 15CA/CB to remit TDS and pay via PAN-linked accounts
▪ New E-Filing Support: Government now offers dedicated portal to calculate and deposit TDS for NRI property deals.
🔎 Real-World Example
Aman, an NRI living in Dubai, sells his ₹1.5 CR flat in Whitefield, Bengaluru in July 2025. He:
● Bought it in 2011 for ₹45 lakhs
● Claims indexed cost using CII (200 to 363) = ₹81.5 lakhs
● Capital Gain = ₹1.5CR – ₹81.5L = ₹68.5 lakhs
● Pays LTCG tax @ 20% = ₹13.7 lakhs approx
● Files Form 15CB via CA
● Repatriates $60,000 USD to Dubai via NRO account legally
🧠 Key Takeaways for Property Buyers, Sellers, NRIs
| Topic | July 2025 Update | Action to Take |
|---|---|---|
| Stamp Duty | Aligned with circle rate + rural surcharge in some states | Check local collector rate before registration |
| CII | Updated to 363 | Use for lower capital gains tax |
| NRI Gifting | Simplified, no RBI approval for residential gifts | Prepare registered gift deed |
| Repatriation | Easier for inherited/sale proceeds | Use NRO account + Form 15CB |
| TDS | Still 20%+ for NRIs on sale | File taxes early with CA help |
🛠️ Tools to Help You
● Income Tax India CII Calculator
● Sub-Registrar Stamp Duty Calculator – Haryana
● [RERA Portal for Property Legality Check](https://maharera.mahaonline.gov.in or your state’s RERA)
● Form 15CA/CB Filing Portal
📍 Bonus Tip for Buyers in Ambala, Haryana
If you’re buying property in Ambala or Karnal, remember:
● Stamp duty is highest if you register under male name alone
● Rural zone buyers need new agri-use declarations
● Builder-to-buyer TDS is 1%, so track PAN before paying
🏠 Final Reflection: Why These Updates Matter
Real estate in India isn’t just about design, tiles, or vastu. It’s about making legally sound decisions that protect your:
● Money
● Ownership rights
● Future income
● Global repatriation plans
Whether you’re buying your first home in Haryana, selling your Bengaluru apartment, or gifting your Chandigarh flat to a relative — the July 2025 updates simplify things if you know how to use them.
📞 Need Help with Stamp Duty, NRI Rules, or Legal Checks?
I work with CAs, architects, and local registrars to assist:
✅ First-time home buyers
✅ NRIs repatriating money or gifting property
✅ Sellers needing capital gains tax optimization
✅ Ambala buyers needing collector rate or circle rate analysis
📧 Email: contact@mishulgupta.com
🌐 Website: www.mishulgupta.com
📱 Instagram: @mishulgupta.design
Let’s design and protect your real estate journey — the smart way.