The amendment updates the Notaries Rules, 1956, allowing the following changes:
- Gujarat: Maximum notaries increased from 2,900 to 6,000.
- Tamil Nadu: Maximum notaries increased from 2,500 to 3,500.
- Rajasthan: Maximum notaries increased from 2,000 to 3,000.
- Nagaland: Maximum notaries increased from 200 to 400.
This revision empowers the respective state governments to appoint additional notaries to ensure wider accessibility of notarial services, especially in growing urban centres and newly created districts or tehsils.
Rationale Behind the Amendment
The increase in notaries comes after formal requests from state governments highlighting population growth, increased administrative units, and the rising need for efficient notarization services. Notaries play a critical role in certifying documents, ensuring authenticity, and facilitating legal and commercial transactions.
By amending the rules, the government aims to reduce bottlenecks in document authentication processes and improve access for citizens, particularly in regions with limited legal infrastructure.
Implementation and Effectiveness
The Notaries (Amendment) Rules, 2025, take effect immediately upon their publication in the Official Gazette. State governments can now initiate appointments for the increased number of notaries, aligning resources with demand.
Legal experts have welcomed the move, noting that expanding the pool of notaries will streamline document verification, enhance business facilitation, and improve citizen access to essential legal services.