When dealing with agricultural or rural land in India, you will come across a unique set of terms and numbers that are used to identify and describe the land. These terms are part of the traditional land records system maintained by the state revenue departments. One of the most fundamental of these identifiers is the Khasra number. For anyone looking to buy, sell, or inherit rural land in 2026, it is essential to understand what is a Khasra number in rural land records. The Khasra number is a unique survey number assigned to a specific parcel of land in a village, which serves as its primary identity in all government records.
What is a Khasra Number? A Simple Definition
A Khasra number (also known as ‘Gata number’ in some regions) is a unique number assigned by the revenue department authorities to a specific plot or parcel of land in a rural or agricultural area. Think of it as the ‘plot number’ for a piece of land in a village’s layout map. Each village has a detailed map that shows all the land parcels, and each parcel is given a unique Khasra number. This number is the main identifier for the land itself, not the owner. The Khasra number is a crucial component of a land record document called the ‘Shajra’, which is a detailed map of the entire village.
The Importance of a Khasra Number
The Khasra number is the cornerstone of the rural land records system and is vital for several reasons:
- Unique Identification of Land: It provides a unique identity to a specific piece of land, preventing any ambiguity about which parcel is being referred to in a legal document.
- Provides Detailed Information: The land records linked to a Khasra number (in a document called the Khasra Girdawari) contain a wealth of information about the plot, such as its exact area, the type of soil, the crops being grown on it, and any trees or wells present on the land.
- Essential for Legal Transactions: When you are buying or selling a piece of rural land, the Khasra number must be clearly mentioned in the sale deed to legally identify the property being transferred.
- Required for Bank Loans: If you want to take an agricultural loan against your land, the bank will require the land records with the correct Khasra number to verify the details and create a charge on the property.
- Helps in Resolving Disputes: In case of any land dispute, the Khasra number and the corresponding official survey map are used by courts and revenue officials to determine the exact boundaries and details of the land.
Khasra Number vs. Khata Number (Khatauni Number)
It is very common for people to get confused between a Khasra number and a Khata number (which is also known as a Khatauni number in some states). They are two distinct but related components of the land records system.
| Feature | Khasra Number | Khata Number / Khatauni Number |
|---|---|---|
| What it Identifies | Identifies a specific plot of land. It is a plot number. | Identifies the owner or a family of owners who cultivate the land. It is an account number for the owners. |
| Nature | A number for the property. | A number for the people. |
| Relationship | A Khata (or Khatauni) will contain a list of all the Khasra numbers that are owned by that particular family or individual. | One Khata number can be linked to multiple Khasra numbers, but one Khasra number is generally linked to one Khata. |
| Urban Equivalent | Similar to a survey number or plot number in an urban layout. | Similar to the concept of a Khata number in urban property tax records. |
These details are typically found in a comprehensive land record document known as Jamabandi or Fard.
How to Find the Khasra Number of a Property
With the digitization of land records under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP), you can now find the Khasra number and other land record details online for most states. Here’s a general guide:
- Visit the State’s Land Records Website: Each state has its own dedicated revenue department portal for land records (often called ‘Bhulekh’, ‘Bhuiyan’, ‘Meebhoomi’, etc.).
- Select Your Location: You will need to select your district, tehsil/mandal, and village from the dropdown menus.
- Search for the Record: You can usually search for the land record using the owner’s name, the Khata number, or the Khasra number itself if you already know it.
- View the Land Record (ROR): After entering the details, the portal will display the Record of Rights (ROR), which will contain the Khasra number, Khata number, owner’s name, area of the land, and other relevant information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a Khasra number be changed?
Yes, a Khasra number can change. This usually happens if a plot of land is subdivided into smaller parcels or if multiple small plots are consolidated into a larger one. In such cases, the revenue department will conduct a new survey and assign new Khasra numbers to the newly formed plots.
2. What is a Shajra?
A ‘Shajra’ is a detailed map of a village that illustrates all the land parcels with their respective Khasra numbers. It is a cadastral map that is a crucial part of the land records system and is used for identifying the exact location and boundaries of a plot.
3. Where can I get an official copy of the land records with the Khasra number?
While you can view the details online, for an official, legally certified copy, you may need to apply at the local Tehsil office, the land records office, or a citizen service center (CSC). This certified copy is often required for legal and banking purposes.
4. Does owning a Khasra number mean I own the land?
Not directly. The Khasra number identifies the land. The ownership is established by your name being recorded against that Khasra number in the corresponding Khata/Khatauni and the Jamabandi record. You should also have a registered sale deed in your name for that Khasra number.
5. What is the difference between a Khasra number and a survey number?
In many contexts, the terms ‘Khasra number’ and ‘survey number’ are used interchangeably. Both refer to the unique number assigned to a parcel of land during a survey. ‘Khasra’ is the term commonly used in North Indian states, while ‘survey number’ is more common in other parts of the country.