Is there any authority prescribed for obtaining certificate of aerial distance? Or can we rely on distance calculated as per Google Map?

Reply— "Agricultural Land" is excluded from the definition of capital asset as per section 2(14)(iii) of the Income-tax Act based, inter-alia, on its proximity to a municipality or cantonment board. The method of measuring the distance of the said land from the municipality, has given rise to considerable litigation. Although, the amendment by the Finance Act  2013  w.e.f. 1.04.2014 prescribes the measurement of the distance to be taken aerially, ambiguity persists in respect of earlier periods.

The matter has been examined in light of judicial decisions on the subject. The Nagpur Bench of the Hon. Bombay High Court vide order dated 30.03.2015 in ITA 151 of 2013 in the case of Smt. Maltibai R Kadu has held that the amendment prescribing distance to be measured aerially, applies prospectively i.e. in relation to assessment year 2014-15 and subsequent assessment years. 

Refer circular no. 17/2015 dated 06.10.2015.