India rent agreement › E-stamp paper
E-stamp paper — the complete 2026 guide
E-stamp paper is the digital, tamper-proof alternative to traditional non-judicial stamp paper in India. It is issued by SHCIL on behalf of state governments, accepted in 20+ states, and carries the same legal weight as physical stamp paper for rent agreements, sale deeds, affidavits and other registrable instruments.
What is e-stamp paper?
E-stamp paper is an electronic stamp certificate issued by the Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL), the Central Record Keeping Agency appointed by the Ministry of Finance. Each certificate carries a unique Certificate Number (UIN) and a QR code, and can be instantly verified on the SHCIL portal. It replaces the traditional stamp paper that had to be purchased from a licensed vendor, removing the risk of counterfeiting and vendor shortages.
States where e-stamping is accepted
As of 2026, e-stamping is live in the following states and UTs:
| Region | States with e-stamping |
|---|---|
| West | Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan |
| South | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry |
| North | Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir |
| East | Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, Tripura |
States still using physical stamp paper primarily: West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Manipur, Andaman & Nicobar, Daman & Diu.
Stamp duty for an 11-month rent agreement by state
| State | Stamp duty formula | Typical duty on ₹20,000/mo rent |
|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 0.25% × (rent × term) + 10% × deposit | ~₹600–₹800 |
| Karnataka | ₹500 flat minimum | ₹500 |
| Delhi | ₹100 flat | ₹100 |
| Tamil Nadu | 1% × (rent + deposit) | ~₹2,200 |
| Telangana | 0.5% × (rent + deposit), max ₹20,000 | ~₹1,100 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 4% × average annual rent | ~₹9,600 |
| Gujarat | ₹300 flat | ₹300 |
| Rajasthan | 0.02% × annual rent | ~₹50 |
How to buy e-stamp paper online — step by step
- Go to shcilestamp.com and click "Online User Registration".
- Select your state from the dropdown.
- Choose "Non-Judicial" as the stamp category.
- Enter the document type as "Rent Agreement" or "Leave and License".
- Enter the stamp duty amount calculated from your state's formula.
- Fill in the First Party (landlord) and Second Party (tenant) details.
- Pay the duty using Net Banking, UPI, debit or credit card.
- Download the e-stamp certificate PDF — it will carry the unique Certificate Number and QR code.
- Print the certificate and attach it to the printed rent agreement before signing.
Verifying an e-stamp certificate
Both landlord and tenant can verify the authenticity of any e-stamp by visiting the SHCIL verification portal and entering the Certificate Number plus the issue date. The portal returns the original stamp details, confirming it has not been tampered with. Verification is free and takes under 30 seconds.
E-stamp vs traditional stamp paper
| E-stamp paper | Traditional stamp paper | |
|---|---|---|
| Tamper risk | Very low (UIN + QR) | Higher (forgery common) |
| Availability | 24/7 online | Limited vendor hours |
| Verification | Instant on SHCIL portal | Manual, slow |
| Processing time | 5–10 minutes | 30–60 minutes |
| Price | Duty + small service fee | Duty + vendor margin |
Frequently asked questions
What is e-stamp paper?
E-stamp paper (electronic stamp paper) is the digital equivalent of traditional non-judicial stamp paper issued by the Stock Holding Corporation of India (SHCIL) on behalf of state governments. Each e-stamp carries a unique Certificate Number (UIN) and can be verified online, making it tamper-proof and legally equivalent to physical stamp paper.
Which states accept e-stamp paper?
E-stamping is accepted in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, Puducherry and Tripura. West Bengal, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh still use physical stamp paper for most transactions.
How much does e-stamp paper cost?
The e-stamp paper itself is free — you only pay the stamp duty amount required by your state. For an 11-month rent agreement, stamp duty ranges from ₹100 (Delhi) to 0.25% of total rent plus deposit (Maharashtra). SHCIL charges a small service fee of ₹10–₹50.
How do I get e-stamp paper online?
Visit shcilestamp.com, select your state, choose "Non-Judicial" as the document type, enter the stamp duty amount, fill in buyer and seller details, pay online, and download the e-stamp certificate. In Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi, you can also get it from authorized collection centers.
Is e-stamp paper legally valid for rent agreements?
Yes. E-stamp paper is fully valid under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899 and state-specific stamp acts. It carries the same legal weight as traditional stamp paper and is accepted by courts, sub-registrar offices, and all government authorities.