Stamp duty and registration charges: what actually drives your closing cost

Stamp duty is charged on the higher of the agreement value and the government circle rate. Buyers who negotiate below circle rate still pay duty on the circle rate, which is why valuation checks matter before you sign.

Rates vary widely: Maharashtra sits around 6% for male buyers with a 1% concession for women, Delhi offers 4% for women against 6% for men, and Tamil Nadu keeps a flat 7% with a heavier 4% registration fee.

Registration is usually 1% of consideration, but several states cap it — Maharashtra at ₹30,000 and Haryana at ₹50,000 — so high-value transactions gain proportionally.

Budget these charges as cash: lenders finance the property price, not the duty, so your down payment must absorb the full closing cost.