Land Records – The Digitization Process and the Way Forward

Land ownership in India—especially in rural areas—has long been surrounded by disputes and confusion. The Government of India launched a major initiative in 2008 to digitize land records to address this confusion and make land records more accessible, transparent, and efficient to manage. These online land records are crucial in determining land ownership, streamlining property transactions, and enhancing land valuation.

As of 2025, platforms like Bhoomi (for Karnataka), Bihar Bhumi, and Jamabandi (for Punjab) have become essential tools for citizens, developers, and officials alike. They not only reduce fraud but also promote smoother financial dealings and contribute to the growth of the real estate sector. Read the blog to understand Land Records 2025, their key types, and how to access them online.

Table of Contents

• Land Records
• Different Types of Land Records
• Why are Land Records Important?
• How to Access Land Records 2025
• State-wise Land Records Portals

What are Land Records?

As the name suggests, land records are detailed legal records of lands in a particular state. These records aim to preserve the land ownership, usage, and valuation details. All these land records are maintained by the government authorities and are found quite helpful when selling, buying, or transferring a property, securing loans, and resolving disputes. Land records are interestingly referred to by different names in different states of India, such as Khata, Bhulekh, Jamabandi, Khasra, and Khatauni.

What are the Different Types of Land Records?

 

Common Land Record Terms Explained

Why are Land Records Important?

Everything kept on record makes one more confident, doesn’t it? This is one of the main benefits of land records. Land records are all the legal documents related to a piece of land. The main objective of keeping these records is to ensure transparency in property ownership for all stakeholders. A fully functional and digital Land Record Information System no doubt, helps improve the overall governance. It also helps make them easily accessible to citizens while reducing fraud and inefficiencies. Most importantly, these also contribute to stabilizing the economic development of the country by streamlining the system of tax collection by offering accurate documentation.

Process of Land Record Mutation

Land mutation is the process of updating government land records to reflect a change in ownership. This usually happens after the sale, inheritance, gift, or transfer of land. It ensures that the new owner’s name is officially recorded in the revenue records, making them liable for property taxes and giving them legal recognition. The following is the step-by-step breakdown of the land mutation process:

Step 1: Obtain the Required Documents

To initiate the mutation process, gather the following documents:

• Sale deed or title deed (in case of sale)
• Will or succession certificate (in case of inheritance)
• Affidavit and indemnity bond, if applicable
• Copy of the latest property tax receipt
• Identity and address proof of the applicant

Step 2: Visit the Local Revenue Office or Apply Online

Submit your application either at the Tehsildar’s office/local municipal office or through the state’s official land records portal (if online mutation is available in your area).

Step 3: Submit the Mutation Application

Fill out the mutation application form with accurate details. Attach all the supporting documents and pay the prescribed mutation fee, which may vary from state to state.

Step 4: Verification by Authorities

The local revenue officer or patwari will verify the documents, conduct field inspections if necessary, and ensure there are no legal disputes attached to the property.

Step 5: Mutation Entry and Record Update

Once verified and approved, the mutation will be recorded in the land revenue register. The applicant will receive a Mutation Certificate, and the new ownership details will be reflected in the official land records.

Required Documents for Land Record Mutation

 

How to Access Land Records 2025?

The Government of India has digitalized land records so that they can be easily accessed online from anywhere and anytime. These are the steps to follow to access Land Records 2025 online:

Step 1: Go to your specific state land records official portal

Step 2: Select the option for ‘Land Search’ or ‘Check RoR’, or ‘View Land Record’ on the home page

Step 3: Enter the details asked such as the district, village, tehsil, and specific land or property survey number or owner name

Step 4: Click on the ‘Submit’ option and the next page will display the land record of the specific land that can be printed or downloaded for future reference

List of State-wise Land Records Portals

Land record search by name has been further simplified by different states that have their own online land record portals. For instance, land records in Bihar are available at the Bihar Bhoomi land records online portal, whereas, land records for Gujarat are available at AnyRoR rural land record​ portal. For your reference, we are now listing the state-wise land records portals:

 

Recent Government Initiatives in Land Record Digitization

Government to Launch Pilot Project for Digitising Urban Land Records
July 3, 2024: The Government of India is set to roll out a pilot project aimed at digitizing urban land and property records. According to media reports, the Department of Land Resources is developing a system where each property owner will receive a unique property card containing comprehensive ownership and property-related details.

The initiative plans to use geospatial technology, including drones and satellite imagery, to accurately map and define plot boundaries. Following this, city administrations will conduct detailed land surveys to verify ownership and record plot information.

Initially, the pilot project will be implemented in eight urban cities. If it proves successful, the digitization drive will be expanded to cover additional urban areas across the country. This move is expected to improve transparency, reduce property disputes, and streamline urban land management.

 

In short, the digitization of land records through various official portals for different states has simplified the procedures in the real estate industry and made everything transparent. Be it the village land records or dispute records, these online land records in 2025 allow users to check the mutation status of the land, request certified copies of land documents, and view land dispute records. These online land records not only eliminate the need for middlemen, but also reduce paperwork, and reduce the time required to access essential land-related documents.

FAQs about Land Records 2025-26