In India, land ownership and land use are governed and recorded by the state governments through land records. Every plot of land is assigned a survey number—a unique identification number used to identify a specific piece of land. Whether you are a farmer, property buyer, seller, or a landowner, knowing your survey number and accessing the related land records is essential for legal and financial security.
This article explains how to find the survey number, what land records consist of, and how they can be accessed for verification or legal purposes.
What is a Survey Number?
A survey number is a unique number assigned to a parcel of land during a cadastral survey. It acts as an identity of a specific piece of land and is used by revenue departments and local authorities for various official and legal matters.
Each survey number contains information such as:
- Exact location of the land
- Dimensions and area
- Type of land (agricultural or non-agricultural)
- Ownership details
- Sub-divisions (if applicable)
Survey numbers can be changed or split into sub-survey numbers when the land is sold or inherited among multiple people.
What are Land Records?
Land records refer to a collection of official documents that give details about land ownership, use, location, and tax payment. These documents are maintained by the Revenue Department of each state and typically include:
- Record of Rights (RoR): Lists the legal owner(s) of the land.
- Pahani or Adangal: Contains information about land usage, crop details, irrigation type, etc.
- Land Mutation Register: Records changes in ownership due to sale, inheritance, or gift.
- Survey Map or Tippan: A drawn map that shows the shape and size of the land with boundaries.
Access to updated land records can help avoid disputes, fraud, and illegal land transactions.
Why Is the Survey Number and Land Record Important?
- Proof of Ownership: Helps establish rightful ownership of a land parcel.
- Legal Security: Vital during property disputes or court cases.
- Buying/Selling Property: Necessary to verify seller’s ownership during purchase.
- Bank Loans: Required for mortgage or agricultural loans.
- Government Schemes: Required for applying subsidies, land development, or crop insurance.
How to Find the Survey Number?
Finding a survey number depends on the information you already have and the state you belong to. Here’s how you can find it:
1. Using Patta or Land Ownership Document
- If you already own the land, your Patta, Khata, or RTC (Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) document will have the survey number listed.
2. Check Sale Deed or Property Registration Papers
- If the land has been bought recently, the sale deed will have detailed survey numbers along with sub-division numbers.
3. Village Revenue Office or Taluk Office
- You can physically visit the Village Accountant or Taluk Office and provide details like owner’s name, father’s name, or village name to get the survey number.
4. Land Records Department Office
- You can approach the Revenue Department and request a land record search by giving owner or location details.
How to Access Land Records?
Each state in India maintains its own digital land records portal. Most states have made it possible to check the following:
- Survey number
- Owner name
- Land area and classification
- Mutation status
- Encumbrance certificate
- Tax paid/dues status
To access land records online (state-specific), you need:
- District, Taluk, Village name
- Survey number
- Owner’s name or Patta number (optional)
Once the details are filled, you can view or download the land record in PDF format, which is legally valid in most cases.
Manual Method (Offline Process)
If digital access is unavailable or the record is outdated, follow the traditional approach:
- Visit the Village Panchayat, Revenue Inspector, or Taluk Office.
- Submit a written request with identity proof and land details.
- Pay a small administrative fee (if applicable).
- Collect certified land records or maps from the official department.
Challenges While Accessing Land Records
- Incomplete digitization: In some areas, records are still maintained on paper.
- Multiple ownership disputes: Inherited lands may not reflect updated names.
- Old survey numbers: Records may refer to outdated or un-revised survey numbers.
- Spelling errors: Names and boundaries may be misrecorded in older documents.
To avoid these issues, make sure all your land records are updated, especially after property transfer, sale, or partition.
Tips to Maintain Clean Land Records
- Ensure every transaction is legally registered.
- Update mutation records immediately after a sale or inheritance.
- Pay land revenue/taxes regularly.
- Keep certified copies of RoR, Mutation Register, and Survey Maps.
- Cross-verify details with revenue officials during periodic surveys.
Conclusion
The survey number and land records are the foundation of land ownership in India. They serve not only as proof of ownership but also as a shield against property disputes, encroachments, and fraud. With the ongoing digitization of land records by state governments, it has become easier for citizens to check and verify their land details online.
Whether you are buying land, selling it, or just confirming your ownership, always begin with checking the correct survey number and associated land records. Being informed and proactive can save you from costly legal troubles in the future.