Overseas Citizen of India : Converting farmland to residential for registration

Converting agricultural land to residential land and registering it in your name involves several steps. Since you're an OCI (Overseas Citizen of India), you'll need to consider FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations. Here's a general outline:

1. Check local zoning and land-use regulations: Ensure that the area is designated for residential use. 

2. Obtain a conversion order: Apply to the local authorities (e.g., Tehsildar or District Collector) for a conversion order, changing the land use from agricultural to residential. 

3. Get a No-Objection Certificate (NOC): Obtain an NOC from the local authorities, stating that the land can be used for residential purposes. 

4. Execute a sale deed: Purchase the land from your friend, and execute a sale deed in your favor.

 5. Register the land: Submit the sale deed, conversion order, and NOC to the Sub-Registrar's office for registration.

 6. OCI compliance: Since you're an OCI, you'll need to comply with FEMA regulations.

You may need to obtain a special permission or dispensation from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) or the local authorities. 

Dear Sir, Your responses are clear and make sense. I had a small follow-up on point (5). So the registration of sale-deed & conversion of land to residential steps both can happen as a single transaction at sub-registrar? If that is possible, then I think FEMA should be okay too. Only if registration happens first and then conversion, as 2 separate steps, that will have FEMA problems from what I know. I will check with FEMA and local authority further as well. Appreciate your time and feedback! Regards.