What is CERSAI

CERSAI stands for Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India. The Ministry of Finance created this centralised platform under the provisions of the Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act.

The main purpose of the Central Registry is to maintain records of all types of security interests. It also seeks to prevent fraud in loan cases with multiple lending from different banks using the same immovable property.

The Central Registry promotes transparency and accountability in the banking and financial ecosystem. Here are some of the primary goals of CERSAI:

• It prevents fraudulent activities, such as multiple financing and benami transactions

• The Central Registry allows lenders to conduct due diligence checks on potential borrowers 

• A centralised platform helps simplify loan processing and allows lenders to manage their assets 

• By providing clear and transparent records to the lenders, CERSAI also reduces the risk of litigation

Whenever banks or lenders provide a loan against a property, they need to register the charges on the Central Registry. It acts as a public database accessible to all regulated lenders.

Banks generally share this data with the registry within 30 days of the transaction. If the data is not shared within the timeline, the banks will be charged with monetary penalties.

Using the public search facility, you can check whether the property that you are buying is pledged as collateral. It saves you from fraudulent transactions when buying any property.

This platform plays a vital role in safeguarding property transactions. If you wish to check records and log into the CERSAI portal, follow these steps:

1. Visit the official CERSAI website

2. Click on the ‘Login’ button available in the top right corner of the home page

3. Enter your credentials and click on the ‘Submit’ button

An organisation or institution involved in transactions creating securities interest needs to register with the Central Registry. Here is the process for the same:

1. Visit the official website of CERSAI and click on the ‘Entity Registration’ option

2. Select the suitable mode of registration between ‘CKYC’ or ‘Digital Signature’

3. If you have chosen the CKYC method, enter your CKYC number and date of birth

4. Enter your name, email, mobile number, employer ID, and date of birth if you have chosen the digital signature method

5. Enter the captcha and click on the ‘Submit’ button

6. Fill out the forms and print them 

7. Get them signed by an authorised signatory

8. Submit the forms and documents to the CERSAI office

Any bank or financial institution creating securities interest can register on the portal by paying a registration charge. After the registration, banks can access information on an asset or property to check previous security interests.

The Central Registry also extends a search report to all entities to ensure a registration system free from fraudulent activities. Lenders can access this information to find out if a collateral has been created by multiple lenders in the past.

By accessing this repository, you can be empowered to verify if the property that you are thinking of buying is pledged as security. Here is how you can conduct an asset-based search on the platform:

1. Visit the portal and click on the ‘Public Search’ category in the dashboard at the top

2. Choose the ‘Asset-Based’ search option and select the category of asset

3. If you have chosen the ‘Immovable’ option, choose the category of immovable property

4. Enter relevant details, like the survey number, house/plot number, address of the property, and more

5. Enter the captcha and click on the ‘Submit’ button

As per the regulations notified by the Government of India, financial institutions need to register home loans with a security interest on CERSAI. For this, borrowers will be liable to pay these charges:

Disclaimer: The above-mentioned charges can change at CERSAI’s discretion.

Before using this robust platform, it is crucial to know about the associated fees:

Disclaimer: The above-mentioned charges can change at CERSAI’s discretion.

In case of any complaint or query, you can reach out to concerned authorities at the registry through any of the following ways:

• Post: 

C/o Chief Operating Officer 

Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India

Tower 1, Office Block, 4th Floor

Plate-A, Adjacent to Ring Road, NBCC 

Kidwai Nagar (East), New Delhi - 110023

• Telephone: 

You can call the helpline number at 8448331851, 8595542303, or 8448535339

• Email: 

You can also email them at helpdesk@cersai.org.in