Land Records: Khasra & Khatauni — Set 16

Correct Answer: B. Cultivable land that has not been tilled for a period

Banjar land refers to cultivable waste land that has not been tilled or cultivated for a certain number of years (typically 3-5 years). In Indian land records, Banjar is further classified as Purana Banjar (old fallow, uncultivated for more than 5 years) and Naya Banjar (new fallow, uncultivated for 1-5 years). Such land is considered degraded but can be reclaimed for cultivation. State governments have schemes to distribute Banjar land to landless farmers for reclamation.

Correct Answer: B. Land used for residential settlement purposes in a village

Abadi refers to the inhabited residential settlement area of a village — the land on which houses, shops, and community buildings are built. In land records, Abadi land is distinct from agricultural land (recorded in Khasra) and is typically under the control of the Gram Panchayat. Many rural families have been living on Abadi land for generations without formal ownership documents. The SVAMITVA scheme specifically aims to give property rights documentation to residents of Abadi land.

Correct Answer: A. Agricultural land is privately owned while Sarkari Padat is unused government-owned land

Agricultural land (Khatedari or Sirdari in Rajasthan) is privately owned or held land used for cultivation. Sarkari Padat (government wasteland) is land owned by the government that is currently uncultivated or unused. Government wasteland includes degraded land, common pastures, and land acquired by the State. Such government wasteland is often allocated to landless poor, displaced persons, or used for common purposes. Land records clearly distinguish between private agricultural land and government-owned land categories.

Correct Answer: B. Revenue Court / Revenue Tribunal

Revenue courts — including courts of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), Settlement Officer, and Board of Revenue — have jurisdiction over land revenue matters and disputes regarding land records such as mutations, corrections in records, and tenancy issues. Revenue courts are separate from civil courts and operate under State revenue laws. Matters like ownership disputes requiring declaration of title may go to civil courts, but record corrections and mutation orders are handled by revenue courts. Appeals from Revenue Courts can go to the Board of Revenue and then the High Court.

Correct Answer: B. Revenue courts deal with land records and tenancy while civil courts deal with ownership title disputes

Revenue courts deal with matters specifically relating to land records, mutations, settlement of boundaries, ejection of tenants, and collection of land revenue — all governed by State revenue laws like the Uttar Pradesh Revenue Code or Madhya Pradesh Land Revenue Code. Civil courts have jurisdiction over ownership disputes, mortgage enforcement, partition of property, and other private law matters related to land. A suit for declaration of title must be filed in a civil court, not a revenue court. The distinction is important as litigants must approach the appropriate forum.

Correct Answer: B. Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)

The earlier National Land Records Modernisation Programme (NLRMP) launched in 2008 was renamed and expanded as the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP) under the Digital India initiative in 2016. This umbrella programme covers computerisation of Record of Rights, digitisation of cadastral maps, computerisation of registration, and modern record rooms. DILRMP is implemented through States and Union Territories with Central Government funding. It represents the most comprehensive effort to modernise land administration in independent India.

Correct Answer: C. Drone survey technology

The SVAMITVA scheme uses drone survey technology to map inhabited (Abadi) areas of villages. Drones fly over villages to capture high-resolution aerial photographs which are then processed to create accurate maps of each property. This is far more efficient and accurate than traditional ground surveys. The Survey of India conducts the drone surveys in coordination with State Revenue Departments and Panchayati Raj Departments.

Correct Answer: A. A copy or extract of land records issued to landowners

'Fard' refers to an extract or certified copy of land records issued to a landholder or applicant from the official Jamabandi or Record of Rights. Obtaining a Fard is the procedure by which a landowner or interested party gets an official copy of their land records for use in legal proceedings, bank loans, or other transactions. In digital land records systems, Fard can now be obtained online or through Common Service Centres. Fard serves as an official certified copy of the relevant land record.

Correct Answer: B. Online portals and Common Service Centres (CSCs)

Under the DILRMP's Computerisation of Land Records component, each State has developed an online portal where citizens can access their Record of Rights (RoR) or Khasra-Khatauni. In addition, Common Service Centres (CSCs) at the village level provide printed copies of land records to citizens at nominal charges. Bhoomi in Karnataka, Bhulekh in UP, Bhumi in Tamil Nadu, and Apna Khata in Rajasthan are examples of State-specific online land record portals. This has significantly improved transparency and reduced the need for citizens to visit revenue offices.

Correct Answer: B. The periodic field inspection by Patwari to record crop details

Girdawari is the periodic inspection of fields conducted by the Patwari twice a year — once during Kharif (autumn) and once during Rabi (spring) seasons. During Girdawari, the Patwari visits each agricultural field to record the actual crop being grown, the irrigated area, the name of the cultivator, and the type of cultivation. The Girdawari data is recorded in the Khasra register and forms the basis for preparing crop statistics, planning for rural credit, and assessment of agricultural income. This inspection is now being digitised under DILRMP.