Land Records: Khasra & Khatauni
Revenue & Panchayati Raj · भूमि अभिलेख: खसरा और खतौनी
📋Quick Overview
Land records form the backbone of India's revenue administration. They document who owns what land, what crops are grown on it, and the boundaries of each plot. These records are maintained at the village level by Patwaris/Lekhpals and have been digitised under DILRMP (Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme). Key documents include Khasra (field book), Khatauni (farmer's register), Shajra (village map), and Jamabandi (record of rights). Mutation (Dakhil Kharij) is the process of updating ownership records after any transfer.
Mutation (Dakhil Kharij): Change of ownership in revenue records. Process: Sale/inheritance → Application to Patwari → Verified by Lekhpal/Kanungo → Approved by SDM. Without mutation, the revenue records still show old owner's name.
📖Key Land Record Documents
| Document | Hindi Name | Content | Updated By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Khasra | खसरा | Plot-wise record: field no., area, soil type, crop, owner; annual document; also called Girdawari | Patwari/Lekhpal (crop inspection twice yearly) |
| Khatauni | खतौनी | Farmer-wise register of all plots held; mutations recorded; also called 'Record of Rights' | Patwari/Lekhpal + SDM (after mutation) |
| Shajra (Mauza) | शजरा (मौजा) | Cadastral village map showing all plots with numbers and boundaries | Patwari; re-survey done periodically |
| Jamabandi / Fard | जमाबंदी/फर्द | Annual rights record — who owns, tenancy details, crops, liabilities on land | Patwari (annual); Tehsildar reviews |
| Mutation / Dakhil Kharij | दाखिल-खारिज | Transfer of ownership in revenue records after sale, inheritance, gift or court order | Patwari initiates → SDM approves |
📝Digitisation and State-Wise Names
- •DILRMP: Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme — computerize all land records, online access, integrated with registration
- •Bhu-Abhilekh/Bhulekh portals: State-wise online land record portals — UP Bhulekh, MP Bhulekh, Rajasthan Apna Khata
- •Girdawari: Crop inspection conducted by Patwari twice a year (Kharif and Rabi seasons) to update Khasra
- •Patta: Legal document given to cultivator proving their right/tenancy over a piece of land
- •Fard Badar: Rectification of errors in land records; done by revenue authorities
- •State-wise Khasra names: Girdawari (Haryana), Pahani (Andhra/Telangana), RTC/Record of Rights (Karnataka), Chitta (Tamil Nadu)