What Delhi's circle-rate categories A to H mean for buyers
Every Delhi colony is assigned a category from A to H. Here's what the categories mean and how they affect your costs.
Delhi classifies residential colonies into eight categories, A to H, based on infrastructure and value. The category sets the circle rate — the minimum value at which a property can be registered.
The categories in brief
Category A includes colonies such as Vasant Vihar, Anand Niketan, Panchsheel Park, Shanti Niketan and Golf Links. Category B includes colonies such as Defence Colony, Greater Kailash 1 and 2, Hauz Khas and Green Park. Categories C to H cover the rest of the city in decreasing order of value.
Land rates under the 2014 notification
| Category | Land (₹ per sq m) |
|---|---|
| A | 7,74,000 |
| B | 2,45,520 |
| C | 1,59,840 |
| D | 1,27,680 |
| E | 70,080 |
| F | 56,640 |
| G | 46,200 |
| H | 23,280 |
A revision has been under discussion; check our circle rates page for the current position.
Why it matters
Stamp duty is charged on the higher of the circle-rate value and the actual price. In prime South Delhi colonies the market price is usually well above the circle rate, so duty is usually charged on the market price.
Use the calculator
Our stamp duty calculator lets you enter the circle-rate value alongside the deal value.
Construction rates
Besides land, the circle-rate value includes construction cost per sq m, which also varies by category: A ₹21,960; B ₹17,400; C ₹13,920; D ₹11,160; E ₹9,360; F ₹8,220; G ₹6,960; H ₹3,480. An age factor reduces this for older buildings.
Example
A floor with a 25% share of a 300 sq yd (about 251 sq m) plot in a Category B colony, with 2,400 sq ft (about 223 sq m) built up in 2020:
- Land: ₹2,45,520 × 251 × 25% ≈ ₹1.54 Cr
- Construction: ₹17,400 × 223 × 1.0 ≈ ₹38.8 lakh
- Circle-rate value ≈ ₹1.93 Cr
If the agreed price is ₹6 Cr, stamp duty is charged on ₹6 Cr, because it is higher.
Property tax categories
MCD also uses colony categories for property tax, so the category affects your annual tax bill as well.
Frequently asked questions
Can a colony's category change? Categories are revised by the government from time to time. Always check the current notification.
