Karnataka builders watch 1% fee hike crush Rs 25,000 crore dreams

When Karnataka decided to double property registration fees from 1% to 2%, they probably didn't expect to become the financial equivalent of that friend who raises the pizza bill right when everyone's already reached for their wallets. The state's Department of Stamps and Registrations missed their revenue targets in both FY25 and Q1 of FY26, so naturally, they're passing the buck to property buyers.

The math is simple but painful: total property costs have jumped from 6.6% to 7.6% of guidance value. That's like discovering your morning coffee now costs an extra 15% because the cafe's rent we...