What is CERSAI?

CERSAI stands for Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India.

It is a centralized online registry created under the SARFAESI Act, 2002 to record:

Loans secured through property mortgage

Charges created by banks and financial institutions

Securitisation and asset reconstruction transactions

Goal: Prevent frauds like taking loans from multiple banks using the same property.

Why Was CERSAI Introduced?

Before CERSAI, banks had no unified system to check if a property was already mortgaged.
Fraudsters could mortgage the same property to several banks and take multiple loans.

CERSAI fixes this problem by ensuring:

Every mortgage is recorded centrally

Banks cannot give loans on pre-mortgaged properties

Borrowers get transparent information

This promotes credit safety, transparency, and trust in India’s banking system.

How Does CERSAI Work?

When you take a secured loan:

The bank creates a security interest on your property.

The details are uploaded to the CERSAI database.

Anyone (including you) can search these records online.

This ensures your property cannot be fraudulently used for multiple loans.

What Information Does CERSAI Store?

CERSAI records include:

Borrower name

Lender/Bank name

Property details

Loan type

Charge creation date

Status of the charge

It covers equitable mortgages, hypothecation, pledges, vehicle loans, and more.

How to Check Property Details on CERSAI

You can independently verify whether a property is already mortgaged.

Steps to Search on CERSAI

Visit the CERSAI official website

Go to Public Search

Choose the search type:

Search by Borrower Name

Search by Property Details

Search by Asset ID

Pay a small fee (₹10–₹100 depending on search type)

View/download the charge report

This helps you avoid risky property purchases and fraud.

Is CERSAI Useful for Home Buyers?

Yes—absolutely.
Before buying a flat, land, or house, you can run a CERSAI search to confirm:

The property is not mortgaged

No bank has a charge on it

Seller is the true owner with clean records

This acts as an independent safety check to protect your investment.

Benefits of CERSAI
For Borrowers

Prevents fraudulent loans in your name

Avoids disputes when purchasing property

Ensures transparency

For Banks

Reduces NPAs

Detects duplicate mortgages

Improves lending safety

For the Market & Government

Boosts trust in real estate

Enhances financial discipline

Strengthens India’s credit system

What Happens When a Loan Is Closed?

Once your loan is fully repaid:

The bank must update the closure on CERSAI

The charge appears as Satisfied or Released

Borrowers should ask for NOC + CERSAI release confirmation.

Common Myths About CERSAI
Myth Reality
CERSAI owns or controls your property False – it only records the mortgage
CERSAI is only for big loans Applies to all secured loans
CERSAI records cannot be accessed Public can search after paying a small fee
Conclusion

CERSAI is one of the most important tools for ensuring mortgage security in India.
Whether you are taking a loan, buying property, or simply verifying records, CERSAI offers transparency and protection.

It reduces fraud, protects borrowers, and strengthens India’s banking ecosystem.

If you’re planning to take a loan or buy a property, always run a quick CERSAI check—it could save you from major financial risks.