Digital Modernisation of Notary Services The Notary Portal was inaugurated on 13 March 2026 as a single‑window system for all matters governed by the Notaries Act, 1952 and the Notaries Rules, 1956 . The portal aims to replace the earlier paper‑based, manual processes with a faceless and paperless framework, thereby improving transparency, speed, and accountability. Key Developments Online submission of applications for appointment as a notary. Electronic verification of eligibility under the Notaries Act and Rules . Issuance of a digitally signed Certificate of Practice to newly appointed notaries. Renewal, change of practice area, and annual return filing through the same portal. Important Facts (as of 06‑03‑2026) 36,269 digitally signed Certificates of Practice have been issued via the portal. Only the eligibility verification and certificate issuance modules are currently live; other services will be phased in. The initiative was announced by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal , Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs, in response to a Lok Sabha query. UPSC Relevance The portal exemplifies the Government’s push towards e‑governance —a recurring theme in GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Governance & Technology). Understanding the legal framework of the Notaries Act and its digital implementation helps answer questions on legal reforms, digital public services, and administrative efficiency. Moreover, the role of the Minister of State (Independent Charge) underscores the functioning of the Union Council of Ministers. Way Forward Future phases should integrate additional modules such as change of practice area, renewal, and annual returns to achieve a fully end‑to‑end digital workflow. Continuous monitoring of user feedback and system security will be essential to maintain trust in the digitally signed Certificate of Practice . The portal can serve as a model for other statutory bodies seeking to digitise legacy processes.