An illustrative guide to using the OBPAS module
The Building Plan Approval or BPA module allows stakeholders to submit building plans for approval by the concerned ULB departments. The construction or renovation of buildings is regulated by the Municipal Body in India. One must get permission from ULB prior to construction. This process involves submitting the building plan to ULB along with other documents. The ULB verifies the plan with other documents and approves the construction. The document which authorizes the construction is called Permit Order. One must have this permit order with him till the completion of construction. ULB officials will inspect various stages of construction and make sure it is compliant with the plan. Once the construction is complete, the Inspection Secretary inspects the building and releases a Completion certificate and finally an Occupancy Certificate. This completes the Building Plan Approval process.
The module supports the following key functions -
eDCR scrutiny
Online submission of application for building permits and occupancy certificates
Document Scrutiny
Field inspection report capture
Pay fee, generate permit order and occupancy certificate online
Inspection of applications and online status
Configurable workflows
Auto fee calculation
Send applications back to citizens or reject applications
Integration with NOC department
Refer to the table below to understand the different user roles and the scope of action linked to each role. The applicable user roles and action items can vary from one State to another. DIGIT customizes the workflows to suit the requirements defined at the State level.
User Role
Scope of Action
Role Description
Citizen
View BPA Application Status
Download Payment Receipts
Provide concurrence to the Architect to submit the application
Make payment for an application
Download Building Permit Order
Individuals and society groups/communities who engage stakeholder/architects to construct buildings for them
Stakeholder/Architect
Create BPA Application
Send application to the citizen for approval
Make payment for the application
Download permits
Download receipts
Check application status
Architects, builders, or engineers who register as a stakeholder in the BPA system - submit applications on behalf of the citizens
Document Verifier (DV)
Send application back to citizen
Reject applications
Upload document on behalf of citizen
Verify and forward applications to FI
DV is the ULB employee responsible for verifying all documents uploaded by the stakeholder/citizen along with the building permit or occupancy certificate application.
Field Inspector (FI)
Prepare Inspection Report
Send application back to the citizen
Reject applications
Verify and forward applications to NOC Verifier
FI is the ULB employee responsible for inspecting construction onsite details submitted by the stakeholder or owner.
NOC Verifier
Send back to citizen
Reject applications
Update NOC details on behalf of NOC department users
Verify and forward applications to BPA Approver
NOC Verifier is the ULB employee responsible for verifying NOC details obtained from concerned authorities.
BPA Approver
Reject application
Update permit conditions
Approve application
The BPA Approver is the ULB employee responsible for rejecting or approving building permit or occupancy certificate applications.
This section of the user manual guides you through the user login process. Citizens can sign up to use the module through the online web portal or the mobile application login interface.
Refer to the Logging Into DIGIT page to learn more about DIGIT user registration, logging in, editing user profile, and logging out.
This section guides you through the details of using the BPA module for each role. Click on the relevant role below to learn more about how to use the module.
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This section illustrates the steps for different employee user roles at the ULB level
The Document Verifier (DV) is responsible for verifying the required and supporting documents uploaded by the citizen or the stakeholder with the building permit or occupancy certificate application. The application is forwarded to the Field Inspector for further review once the DV finds the documents uploaded meet the requirements. Else, the application is either sent back to the citizen for refurbishing the documents or rejected.
DV can
DV can send the application back to the citizen for any corrections or if any vital document has not been uploaded. The DV can also upload the documents on behalf of the citizens.
To send the application back to the citizen
Click on the Application No. hyperlink available in the list of applications Assigned to Me section of the employee dashboard.
Or, enter the Application No. or any other search parameter to search for the application.
Click on the Application No. link to open the application.
Scroll down the application page to review the filled in details. Click on the View File button to open the documents uploaded in the application.
Click on the Upload button to upload relevant documents and NOC documents on behalf of the citizen.
Click on the Take Action button at the bottom of the application page once the review is complete.
Click on the Send Back to Citizen button if the documents do not meet the application requirements or any document is missing.
Select the applicable Assignee Name. State the reasons for sending the application back to the citizen in the Comments section.
Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Send Back to Citizen button.
The application is placed back in the Citizen queue for required edits.
The DV can reject the application if the documents and information furnished by the citizen do not meet the permit or occupancy guidelines.
To reject or revoke applications
Enter the Application No. or any other search parameter to search for the application. Click on the Application No. link to open the application.
Scroll down the application page to review the filled in details. Click on the View File button to open the documents uploaded in the application.
Click on the Take Action button at the bottom of the application page once the review is complete.
Click on the Reject button if the documents do not meet the application requirements or the information provided in the application is inaccurate.
State the reasons for rejecting the application in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Reject button.
The application is rejected and a notification is sent to the owner informing the same.
Permit orders are sanctioned instantly for low-risk applications. However, the application goes through the normal workflows for document verification, field inspection, and NOC verification. The ULB authorities can revoke the permit order in case any anomalies are detected during the verification process.
Applications can be revoked at any stage by the Document Verifier, Field Inspector, or the NOC Verifier.
To revoke application
Click on the Application No. in the Assigned to Me section of the employee dashboard or enter the Application No. or any other search parameter to search for the application.
Click on the Application No. link to open the application. Scroll down the application page to review the filled in details. Click on the View File button to open the documents uploaded in the application.
Click on the Take Action button at the bottom of the application page once the review is completed.
Click on the Revocate button if the application details do not meet the permit requirements.
Enter the reason for revoking the permit in the Comments field.
Click on Upload Files to attach supporting documents. Click on the Revocate button. The permit order is revocated.
The DV verifies and forwards the application if the documents and information provided in the application are found satisfactory and complete.
To verify and forward the application
Enter the Application No. or any other search parameter to search for the application. Click on the Application No. link to open the application.
Scroll down the application page to review the filled in details. Click on the View File button to open the documents uploaded in the application. Click on the Take Action button at the bottom of the application page once the review is complete.
Click on the Forward button once all documents are verified.
Select the applicable Assignee Name who will carry out the next phase of verification. Provide any additional information for the assignee in the Comments section.
Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Verify and Forward button.
The application is forwarded to the field inspector for further processing.
The field inspector or FI is responsible for conducting the field inspection of the construction site and premises. The FI prepares the inspection report based on the observations on the defined inspection parameters.
The FI can
FI prepares the field inspection report and attaches the report to the application.
To prepare the inspection report
Click on the Application No. hyperlink available in the list of applications Assigned to Me section of the employee dashboard.
Or, enter the Application No. or any other search parameter to search for the application. Click on the Application No. link to open the application.
Scroll down the application page to review the filled in details. Enter the Inspection Date and Inspection Time in the Inspection Report -1 panel. FI can add multiple field inspection reports as required.
Mark Yes or No as applicable for each item in the Inspection Checklist. Enter any additional information in the Remarks section available for each item in the checklist.
Select the applicable Document Type for each of the listed Documents. Click on the Upload File button to upload the relevant documents.
Click on +Add Another Field Inspection Report button to append additional inspection details.
Click on the Take Action button at the bottom of the application page once the review is complete.
To send the application back to the citizen
Click on Send Back to Citizen if any information or document is missing in the application.
Select the applicable Assignee Name. State the reasons for sending the application back to the citizen in the Comments section.
Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Send Back to Citizen button.
The application is placed back in the Citizen queue for required edits.
The FI can reject the application if the documents and information furnished by the citizen do not meet the permit or occupancy guidelines.
To reject the application
Click on the Reject button if the documents do not meet the application requirements or the information provided in the application is inaccurate.
State the reasons for rejecting the application in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Reject button.
The application is rejected and a notification is sent to the owner informing the same.
The FI verifies and forwards the application if the documents and information provided in the application are found satisfactory and complete.
To forward the applications
Click on the Verify and Forward button.
Select the applicable Assignee Name who will carry out the next phase of verification. Provide any additional information for the assignee in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Verify and Forward button.
The application is forwarded to the NOC Verifier for further processing.
The NOC Verifier is responsible for checking the no-objection permissions obtained for various civic authorities in context to the building construction. Commonly, a NOC is required from the Airports Authority and the Fire department to certify all guidelines are met by the builder and owner. If all requirements are met the NOC verifier forwards the application to the BPA Approver.
NOC Verifier can
The NOC Verifier can send the application back to the citizen in case there are some details missing in the form.
To send the application back to the citizen
Click on the Application No. hyperlink available in the list of applications Assigned to Me section of the employee dashboard. Or, enter the Application No. or any other search parameter to search for the application.
Click on the Application No. link to open the application.
Scroll down the application page to review the filled in details.
Click on the View File button to review the NOC documents uploaded with the application. Click on the Upload File button to upload NOC documents on behalf of the NOC issuing authority like Fire or Airport.
Click on the Take Action button at the bottom of the application page once the review is complete.
Click on the Send Back to Citizen button if the documents do not meet the application requirements or any document is missing.
Select the applicable Assignee Name. State the reasons for sending the application back to the citizen in the Comments section.
Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Send Back to Citizen button.
The application is placed back in the Citizen queue for required edits.
The NOC Verifier can reject the application if the documents and information furnished by the citizen do not meet the prescribed guidelines.
To reject the application
Click on the Reject button if the documents do not meet the application requirements or the information provided in the application is inaccurate.
State the reasons for rejecting the application in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Reject button.
The application is rejected and a notification is sent to the owner informing the same.
The NOC Verifier verifies and forwards the application to the BPA Approver if the documents and information provided in the application are found satisfactory and complete.
The NOC Verifier cannot forward the application to the BPA Approver until and unless the NOC from the respective authorities is received.
To forward the applications
Click on the Verify and Forward button once all details are verified and found satisfactory.
Select the applicable Assignee Name who will carry out the next phase of verification. Provide any additional information for the assignee in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Verify and Forward button.
The application is forwarded to the BPA Approval for final approval.
The BPA Approver is responsible for approving or rejecting the application for building permits or occupancy certificates. Once approved the owner can download the permit or the occupancy certificate from the portal.
The BPA Approver can
BPA Approver can reject the application if the documents and information furnished by the citizen do not meet the prescribed guidelines.
To reject applications
Click on the Application No. hyperlink available in the list of applications Assigned to Me section of the employee dashboard.
Or, enter the search parameter to find the application pending for approval.
Click on the Application No. link to open the application. Scroll down the application to review the filled in details. Check the applicable conditions in the Permit Conditions list.
Enter any additional Permit Condition in the space given below the list. These conditions will be appended in the permit order. Click on the +Add More button to add more conditions.
Click on the Take Action button. Click on the Reject button if the documents do not meet the application requirements or the information provided in the application is inaccurate.
State the reasons for rejecting the application in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Reject button.
The application is rejected and a notification is sent to the owner informing the same.
The BPA Approver approves the application for a building permit or occupancy certificate once the verification is complete and prescribed guidelines are met.
To approve applications
Click on the Approve button once all requirements and verifications are complete.
Provide any additional information for the assignee in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents. Click on the Approve button.
The application is approved.
The citizen or the stakeholder can now download and print the building permit or occupancy certificate from their account only after paying the permit fee. There is no fee applicable for an occupancy certificate.
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Learn how to register new stakeholders, make payments, apply for building permits and occupancy certificates
Citizens represent individuals, groups, and communities who are the building owners or occupants. The BPA module provides the citizens with the scope to view building permit applications submitted by the stakeholders or architects. They can request the stakeholders to make any changes in the application if required. Citizens approve the applications and make the payment.
The citizen can -
​Make payment​
The citizen user portal allows stakeholders to register themselves on the OBPAS system. Stakeholders constitute architects, builders, engineers, supervisors, or town planners. A unique license number is generated for each stakeholder on the system.
Citizens can have multi-stakeholder access. Hence, a citizen can be registered as an architect, a builder, and a normal citizen.
The registered stakeholder will have state-level access permission to apply for new building permits or occupancy certificates.
To register stakeholders
Navigate to the Building Plan Approval option in the sidebar. Click on the Register Technical Person/Builder card on the screen.
Select the applicable Technical Person License Type in the License Details tab.
Click on the Next Step button to move to the next section of the registration form.
Enter the Applicant Name. Select the applicable Gender of the applicant. Enter the applicant’s Date of Birth, Mobile No., Email, and PAN No. Enter the Permanent Address of the applicant. Scroll down to enter the Correspondence Address. Check the Same as Permanent Address box if both addresses are the same. This will auto-populate the permanent address as the correspondence address.
Click on the Next Step button.
Click on the Upload File button to upload the Required Documents for verification. The list of required documents depends on the selected licensee type. Click on the Next Step button to move to the Summary page of the application.
Check the box in the Declaration section to testify the submitted details in the application. Click on the Submit button. The application is submitted for further processing. A unique Application Number is generated by the system for easy reference. Make a note of this number to track your application status and details.
Now click on the Proceed to Payment button to pay the registration fee.
Click on the Make Payment button.
Select the preferred payment option. Enter the required details to process the payment.
The system displays the payment success acknowledgement message along with the Payment Receipt No. Click on the Download or the Print button above to download or print the payment receipt.
The registration application is now in queue for document verification and approval by the Document Verifier and Approver.
Once the stakeholder is approved the applicant receives a notification. In addition, the Building Permit New Construction, Occupancy Certificate New Building Construction, and the DIGIT DCR Scrutiny options are added to the system menu.
The view application option allows citizens to review the application submitted by the stakeholder. In case there are any mistakes or changes required in the application the citizen can request the stakeholder to make these edits.
To view application status
Navigate to the Building Plan Approval option in the sidebar. Click on My Applications.
The My Applications screen will list all the applications submitted by the stakeholders on behalf of the citizen. The application details will display the status of each application.
Click on the View Details button below the relevant application details. Scroll down the application to view the submitted details. Click on the View History button on the top of the application to check the task and activity updates on the application.
Building permit applications submitted by the architects or any other stakeholders are routed to the citizens or the owner to verify details. The owner reviews the application details and sends back the application to the stakeholders if there is any mistake or any changes required in the application.
To request edits or approve applications
Navigate to Building Plan Approval menu option in the sidebar. Click on My Applications.
Click on View Details button available for the relevant application.
Scroll down the application page to review the details submitted in the application.
Click on the Take Action button. Click on the Send to Architect button if some details require editing. This will open the Forward Application panel.
Enter the information you want to pass on to the architect in context to the application in the Comments section. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents for the application.
Click on the Send To Architect button. The application is now in the stakeholder’s queue for further processing. Click on the Approve button if there are no changes required in the application. This will open the Forward Application panel.
Enter any Comments in context to the application in the panel. Click on the Upload Files button to upload any supporting documents for the application. Click on the Approve button. The system displays the approved success acknowledgement message.
The Make Payment button is enabled once the stakeholder submits the building permit or occupancy certificate application on behalf of the owner.
Click on Application No. for which payment has to be made. The Payment Information details are available on the top of the application.
Click on the Make Payment button at the bottom of the screen.
The Payment Collection Details panel displays the Total Amount payable towards Application Fee along with the break-ups.
Select the relevant payment method. Enter the payment details.
The payment success acknowledgement message is displayed along with the Payment Receipt No. Click on the Download button to view or download the receipt in pdf format or click on the Print button to print the receipt.
Stakeholders represent the registered builders, architects, town planners, engineers or supervisors. The stakeholder role within the system encompasses submitting details for eDCR scrutiny, obtaining building permit orders, completion certificates, and occupancy certificates.
Stakeholders can
Follow the steps outlined for Register Stakeholders in the Citizens section.
The DIGIT-DCR Scrutiny option in the BPA module allows stakeholders to upload and submit building plan diagrams. The scrutiny process checks if the drawing meets the required standards and applicable compliance guidelines. Once the scrutiny is complete, the plan is either approved or rejected depending on the scrutiny findings.
To submit plans and diagrams for DIGIT-DCR Scrutiny
Navigate to the eDCR Scrutiny menu option in the sidebar. Click on the New Building Plan Scrutiny card.
Select the applicable City for the proposed construction. Enter the Applicant Name. Click on the Upload File button to upload the plans and diagrams. The system accepts only .dxf files and the maximum file size should not exceed 30MB.
Click on the Submit button to submit the plans for scrutiny. Click on the Clear Form button to start a fresh application.
The system displays a success acknowledgement message along with a unique Building Plan Scrutiny Number. Note this number for future reference. This number is required at the time of applying for a new building permit.
Click on the Download or Print button to download or print the Scrutiny Report.
The system might reject the submitted building plan if there are any errors or omissions in the plan. Make the corrections and upload the plan for scrutiny once again. Click on the Download or Print button to download or print the Scrutiny Report.
Click on the Create Building Permit Application button to apply for a permit.
Follow the same steps to apply for Occupancy Certificate eDCR Scrutiny for New Building.
Stakeholders can apply for low-risk building permit applications following the same steps outlined above. Permits for building plans marked as low risk are processed immediately and the stakeholders can download the permit order after submitting the required documents and details.
The key parameters defining low-risk application categories include -
The height of the building is less than 10 meters
The building construction site does not fall in any airport zone
The building occupancy type is purely residential
The permit order issued for low-risk applications can be revoked by the State or ULB authorities if any inconsistencies or instances of non-compliance found during the verification and inspection process.
Stakeholders can apply for building permits for new construction once the eDCR Scrutiny is approved.
To apply for building permits for new construction
Navigate to the Building Plan Approval menu option in the sidebar.
Click on Building Permit New Construction card. Select the City for the proposed construction in the popup window.
Alternatively, click on the Create Building Permit Application button once the DIGIT-DCR scrutiny is accepted.
The Apply for Building Permit form contains 5 sections - Basic Details, Scrutiny Details, Owner Info, Document and NOC Details, and Summary.
Occupancy, Application Type, Risk Type, and Service Type information in the Basic Details panel is auto-populated from the listed DIGIT-DCR scrutiny report. The Risk Type is Low in the case of low-risk permit applications.
Enter any additional comments in the Remarks field.
The system populates the current date as Application Date by default. In the Location Details panel enter Building/Colony Name, Street Name, Mohalla, Pincode, and GIS coordinates. The City field is auto-populated.
In the Details of Plot panel the Plot Area, and Khata No. are auto-populated from the listed eDCR reference document. Enter the Holding No., Plot No. (MSP), and Land Registration Details.
Click on the Next Step button to move to the Scrutiny Details section of the application form. The Scrutiny Details page displays the DIGIT DCR Number, a clickable link to download the Uploaded Diagram, and the Scrutiny Report.
The Occupancy, Sub-Occupancy, and Usage details are auto-populated from the eDCR report. Click on the Next Step button to move to the Owner Info section.
In the Owner Details panel select the applicable Owner Type and Type of Owner Subtype.
Enter the owner’s Mobile No., Applicant Name, Gender, Date of Birth, Email, Guardian’s Name, Relationship with guardian, PAN No., and Correspondence Address in the Owner Information panel.
Check the Is Primary Owner box if the person filling the application details is the primary owner. All system notifications will be sent to the primary owner.
Click on the Next Step button to move to the Document and NOC Details section.
Select the appropriate document type for each of the Required Documents categories. Click on the Upload File button to upload the documents. The permissible document file formats include .pdf and. jpeg extensions.
Scroll down the page to upload the Building Plan Diagram, Fire and Airport Authority NOC Details. If the users have the NOC documents click on the Upload button to attach the documents to the application.
Click on the Next Step button to review the application details. The Summary page displays the payable Application Fee details.
Once the owner approves the application it is put back in the stakeholder’s queue for submission. The stakeholder will find this application in the My Applications page with the status Stakeholder’s submission pending.
Click on the Application Number hyperlink to open the application. Check the Declaration checkbox at the bottom of the application. Scroll down the page and click on the Submit button.
The submit successful acknowledgement message is displayed on the screen. Click on the Make Payment button at the bottom of the screen to pay the application fees.
Stakeholders can apply for occupancy certificates for new building construction once the occupancy eDCR Scrutiny is approved.
To submit for OC eDCR scrutiny
Navigate to eDCR Scrutiny menu option in the sidebar.
Click on Occupancy Certificate eDCR Scrutiny for New Building card. Select City.
Enter the applicable Building Permit Date and the Building Permit Number. Click on the search icon to populate the building permit details. Upload the Building Plan diagram.
Click on the Submit button to process the scrutiny.
Click on the Download or Print button to download or print the Scrutiny Report.
Click on the Create Occupancy Certificate Application button to proceed with the application or you can choose to proceed with the application later. Make a note of the OC Scrutiny Number that is required to create the application.
To apply for building permits for new construction
Navigate to the Building Plan Approval menu option in the sidebar. Click on Occupancy Certificate New Building Construction card.
Enter the applicable City for the new building construction.
Click on the Select button.
Enter the Occupancy Certificate Security Number. (The above steps are not required if the user has selected to create the OC application immediately after the OC scrutiny is completed).
The Application Type, Risk Type, Service Type, Applicant Name, Stakeholder Name, and Building Permit Number details will be auto-populated from the listed OC Scrutiny document.
The Application Date accepts the current date by default. Enter any comments in the Remarks field.
The Occupancy Certificate Scrutiny Details panel displays the eDCR Number, and a clickable link to download the Uploaded Image and Scrutiny Report.
The Actual Building Details are auto-populated from the scrutiny report. A Comparison Report is also generated at this stage. The comparison report provides a comparative assessment between the proposed construction and the actual construction diagram. This report can be downloaded once the OC application is submitted for further processing by the stakeholder.
Enter the Total Buildup Area (Sq Mtrs), Number of Floors, High From Ground Level from Mumty (In mtrs) details in the Actual Building Abstract panel.
Click on the Next Step button to move to the Documents and NOC Details section.
Select the appropriate document type for each of the Required Documents categories. Click on the Upload File button to upload the documents.
Click on the Next Step button to review the application details. The Summary page displays the payable Application Fee details.
Scroll down the page to review the application details. Click on the Send to Citizen button for final review and approval of the owner
To download the Comparison Report
Click on My Applications on the BPA home page.
Click on the relevant Application Number hyperlink to view the application.
Click on the Download or Print button to download the Comparison Report. This report is available for citizen download too.
The Summary page displays the payable Registration Fee. Scroll down the page to view the application details. Click on the Edit icon available on the right side of each panel to make any changes.
Enter the Building Plan Scrutiny Number. Click on the Search icon adjacent to the Building Plan Scrutiny Number. This will fetch the building and application details from the scrutiny report. The Building Plan Scrutiny Number is auto-populated in case the user initiates the application from the DCR scrutiny accepted acknowledgement screen.
Scroll down the page to review the application details. Click on the edit icon to make any changes in the application. Click on the Send to Citizen button for the final review and approval of the owner.
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