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Can I, an NRI, buy agricultural land using my spouse's name in India?

Ramalingam

Ramalingam Kalirajan  |10894 Answers  |Ask -

Mutual Funds, Financial Planning Expert - Answered on Aug 23, 2024

Ramalingam Kalirajan has over 23 years of experience in mutual funds and financial planning.
He has an MBA in finance from the University of Madras and is a certified financial planner.
He is the director and chief financial planner at Holistic Investment, a Chennai-based firm that offers financial planning and wealth management advice.... more
Asked by Anonymous - Jan 28, 2024Hindi
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As a NRI can I buy agricultural land in my spouce’s name( in India). My spouse is a resident and has no independent source of income.

Ans: As an NRI, you must know that Indian laws regarding land ownership are very specific. The Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulates land ownership by NRIs. According to FEMA, NRIs cannot purchase agricultural land, plantation property, or farmhouses in India.

Buying Land in Your Spouse’s Name
Your spouse, being an Indian resident, can legally purchase agricultural land. However, there are important factors to consider:

Source of Funds: The funds used to purchase the land should come from your spouse's income or resources. Since your spouse has no independent income, it could raise questions if the money comes from your account.

Gift or Loan: You could consider gifting the amount to your spouse. Gifts between spouses are tax-free in India. However, this should be done transparently to avoid any legal complications.

Income Tax Implications: If the land generates any income (like farming income), it may be attributed to you since you provided the funds. This could have tax implications under the clubbing provisions of the Income Tax Act.

Alternative Investment Options
Given the legal limitations for NRIs in purchasing agricultural land, you might want to consider other investment options. These alternatives offer potential for growth and stability without the legal complexities.

Mutual Funds
Equity Mutual Funds: These are ideal for long-term wealth creation. They invest in stocks, offering higher returns over time.

Debt Mutual Funds: If you prefer stability, debt funds invest in fixed-income securities. They provide moderate returns with lower risk.

Hybrid Mutual Funds: These funds offer a balance between equity and debt, aiming to provide steady returns.

Non-Resident External (NRE) and Non-Resident Ordinary (NRO) Accounts
NRE Fixed Deposits: These offer attractive interest rates and are tax-free in India. They can be repatriated fully.

NRO Fixed Deposits: These are suitable if you have income in India. Interest earned is taxable, but funds can be partially repatriated.

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
REITs: Instead of directly buying property, you can invest in REITs. They allow you to earn returns from real estate without the need to manage property.
Ensuring Financial Transparency
It is crucial to maintain transparency in your financial dealings. Ensure that any transaction between you and your spouse is well-documented. This will help avoid any legal or tax-related issues in the future.

Final Insights
While your spouse can purchase agricultural land as a resident, using your funds for this purpose can complicate things. Considering the legal and tax implications, it might be wiser to explore alternative investment options. Mutual funds, NRE/NRO accounts, and REITs offer potential for growth and stability without the legal hassles associated with land ownership for NRIs.

Best Regards,

K. Ramalingam, MBA, CFP,

Chief Financial Planner,

www.holisticinvestment.in
DISCLAIMER: The content of this post by the expert is the personal view of the rediffGURU. Users are advised to pursue the information provided by the rediffGURU only as a source of information to be as a point of reference and to rely on their own judgement when making a decision.
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Tejas

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I am widow mother of two girls have ansestral agricultural land 4 bigha in unnao distt.We are Hindu by religeon.I want know what are our rights in the agricultural land and a house my husband left for us after his death.Thanks.
Ans: As a widow and mother of two girls, you and your daughters have certain rights in relation to the ancestral agricultural land and the house left by your husband. The specific rights and entitlements may vary depending on the laws and customs applicable in your jurisdiction, so it is important to consult with a legal professional who can provide guidance based on the specific laws of your area. However, I can provide you with some general information about the rights of widows and daughters in ancestral property in India:

Hindu Succession Act: The Hindu Succession Act, 1956, governs the succession and inheritance of property among Hindus, including agricultural land and houses. According to the Act, as a widow, you have a right to a share in your husband's property, including ancestral property. Your daughters also have an equal right to inherit their father's property.

Rights as a Widow: As a widow, you are entitled to a share in your husband's property, including the ancestral agricultural land and the house. Your share would depend on the specific circumstances, such as whether there are any other legal heirs and the number of daughters you have. The specific share can vary based on the local customs or personal laws applicable in your area.

Daughters' Rights: In 2005, the Hindu Succession Act was amended to give daughters the same rights as sons in ancestral property. This means that your daughters have an equal right to inherit the ancestral agricultural land and the house along with any other legal heirs. They are entitled to an equal share in the property.

Partition of Property: In case there are multiple legal heirs, including yourself and your daughters, you have the right to seek a partition of the property. Partition involves dividing the property among the co-owners, giving each person their rightful share. If an amicable partition cannot be reached, you may need to approach the appropriate legal authorities for assistance.

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Nayagam P

Nayagam P P  |10858 Answers  |Ask -

Career Counsellor - Answered on Dec 16, 2025

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 13, 2025Hindi
Career
Hello sir I have literally confused between which university to pick if not good marks in mht cet Like sit Pune or srm college or rvce or Bennett as I am planning to study here bachelors and masters in abroad so is it better to choose a government college which coep and them if I get them my home college which Kolhapur institute of technology what should I choose a good university? If yes than which
Ans: Based on my extensive research of official college websites, NIRF rankings, international recognition metrics, placement data, and masters abroad admission requirements, your choice between COEP Pune, RVCE Bangalore, SRM Chennai, Bennett University Delhi, and Kolhapur Institute of Technology (KIT) fundamentally depends on five critical institutional aspects essential for successful masters admission abroad: global research output and international collaborations, CGPA-based competitiveness (minimum 7.5-8.0 required for top international programs), faculty expertise in emerging technologies, international student exchange partnerships, and proven alumni track records at globally-ranked universities. COEP Pune ranks nationally at NIRF #90 Engineering with India Today #14 Government Category ranking, offering robust infrastructure and 11 academic departments with research centers in AI and renewable energy, though international research collaborations are moderate compared to IITs. RVCE Bangalore demonstrates strong national standing with consistent COMEDK admissions competitiveness, excellent placements averaging Rs.35 LPA with highest at Rs.92 LPA, and established international collaborations through Karnataka PGCET-based MTech programs, providing solid foundations for masters applications. SRM Chennai maintains extensive research partnerships with 100+ companies visiting campus, highest packages reaching Rs.65 LPA, and documented international research linkages through sponsored programs like Newton Bhaba funded projects, significantly strengthening masters abroad candidacy through diverse research exposure. Bennett University Delhi distinctly outperforms others in international institutional alignment, recording highest placements at Rs.137 LPA with average Rs.11.10 LPA, explicit academic collaborations with University of British Columbia Canada, Florida International University USA, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Essex England, and King's University College Canada—these partnerships directly facilitate seamless masters transitions abroad and represent unparalleled institutional bridges to international graduate programs. KIT Kolhapur records respectable placements at Rs.41 LPA highest with average Rs.6.5 LPA, NAAC A+ accreditation, autonomous institutional status under Shivaji University, and 90%+ placement consistency across technical streams, though international research visibility and foreign university partnerships remain comparatively limited. For international masters admission success, universities globally prioritize bachelors institution reputation, minimum CGPA 7.5-8.0 (Bennett and SRM facilitate this through curriculum rigor), GRE/GATE scores (minimum 90 percentile), English proficiency (TOEFL ≥75 or IELTS ≥6.5), research output documentation, and faculty recommendation quality reflecting institution's research culture—criteria most strongly supported by Bennett's explicit international collaborations, SRM's documented research partnerships, and COEP's autonomous departmental research centers. Bennett simultaneously offers global pathway programs reducing masters abroad costs through articulation agreements and provides curriculum aligned internationally with partner institution standards, representing optimal intermediate bridge structure versus direct masters application. The cost-effectiveness and structured transition support through international partnerships, combined with demonstrated placement success and faculty research visibility, position these institutions distinctly above KIT Kolhapur for masters abroad aspirations. For your specific objective of pursuing masters abroad, prioritize Bennett University Delhi first—its explicit international university partnerships with Canadian, American, and European institutions, highest placement packages (Rs.137 LPA), and structured global pathway programs create seamless masters transitions with reduced costs. Second choice: SRM Chennai, offering extensive research collaborations, documented international linkages, and competitive placements (Rs.65 LPA highest) strengthening masters applications. Third: COEP Pune, delivering strong national standing and autonomous research infrastructure. Avoid RVCE and KIT due to limited international visibility and explicit foreign university partnerships compared to the above three institutions. All the BEST for a Prosperous Future!

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