RTI for Bihar Land Records — Dakhil Kharij, Jamabandi and Bhumi Sudhar

Landowners across Bihar — whether grappling with stalled Dakhil Kharij (mutation) applications, disputed Jamabandi entries, unclear Khatiyan ownership records, or concerns about Gair-Majarua (government land) encroachments — have a powerful and affordable remedy in the Right to Information Act, 2005. For just ₹10 and a single application, you can obtain certified copies of your land's Record of Rights, its complete mutation history, the status of any pending mutation case, and an official explanation for any delay or discrepancy at your Circle Office (Anchal Karyalay). In a state where land disputes are deeply embedded in daily life and where the Apna Khata portal shows view-only data that cannot substitute for certified records, RTI equips landowners with authenticated documents that are admissible in court, enforceable through appeal, and essential for protecting property rights.

Bihar Land Records Terminology: A Reference Guide

Understanding Bihar's revenue terminology is essential before drafting an RTI application. The key terms and their meanings are:

Dakhil Kharij (दाखिल खारिज): Mutation — the formal process of updating the Jamabandi to reflect a change in land ownership or possession. A Dakhil Kharij is filed at the Circle Office (Anchal Karyalay) after a registered sale deed, inheritance, partition, gift, or court decree. Until the Dakhil Kharij is sanctioned, the buyer's name does not appear in the revenue record even if they hold a registered deed.

Jamabandi (जमाबंदी): Record of Rights (RoR) — the authoritative revenue register maintained at the Anchal (Circle) level. It records each Khata (holding), the Khesra (plot) numbers within it, the area, the land classification, the name of the Raiyet (landholder), and the nature of rights held. The Jamabandi is the definitive proof of land possession and revenue rights in Bihar.

Khatiyan (खतियान): The printed extract or certified copy of the Jamabandi for a specific Khata. There are several types of Khatiyan in Bihar: Raiyati Khatiyan (privately held agricultural land), Gair-Majarua Aam Khatiyan (public-use government land — roads, ponds, common land), Gair-Majarua Khas Khatiyan (state government's own land), Bakasht Khatiyan (landlord-retained land from zamindari era), and Bhoodan Khatiyan (donated land). Knowing the Khatiyan type of your plot is critical for any land transaction.

Khesra (खेसरा): The plot number — the unique identifier for each physical parcel of land within a village (Mauja). Equivalent to Khasra in other states.

Khata (खाता): The holding or account number — groups together all Khesra plots belonging to the same Raiyet (landholder). One Raiyet may have one Khata with multiple Khesra plots.

Mauja (मौजा): Revenue village — the basic unit of land records administration. Each Mauja has its own Jamabandi register.

Halka: A sub-circle revenue unit — a group of Maujas under the supervision of one Halka Karmachari (revenue field official, similar to a Patwari in other states).

Anchal / Circle (अंचल): The block-level revenue administrative unit headed by the Circle Officer (CO). The Circle Office (Anchal Karyalay) is the primary point of contact for all mutation and land records queries.

Lagaan (लगान): Land revenue / tax. The Jamabandi also records whether Lagaan (land revenue) is payable on a plot and to whom.

Bhumi Sudhar (भूमि सुधार): Land reforms — Bihar's post-independence land ceiling and redistribution programme under the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950. Ceiling-surplus land vested in the state is a category of Gair-Majarua Khas land. RTI can clarify whether any portion of a plot is subject to Bhumi Sudhar vesting.

What RTI Can Reveal About Bihar Land Records

Filing an RTI with the relevant Circle Office or Revenue Department authority can obtain:

1. Certified Jamabandi copy: The authenticated RoR for a specific Khesra/Khata — owner name, co-sharer shares, area, land classification, and any mortgage or litigation noted
2. Certified Khatiyan: The printed RoR extract for a Khata, bearing the Circle Officer's seal — admissible in court and for registration, banking, and inheritance proceedings
3. Dakhil Kharij history: Every mutation in the last 10+ years — who transferred to whom, on what legal basis, and which officer sanctioned it
4. Pending mutation status: Whether your mutation application is registered, the stage it is at, who is holding the file, and the reason for any delay
5. Mutation order copy: A certified copy of the final Dakhil Kharij Aadesh (mutation order) once sanctioned
6. Encumbrance details: Whether a mortgage, charge, or lis pendens is recorded against a Khesra in revenue records
7. Government land classification: Whether a plot or any part of it is Gair-Majarua Aam (public land), Gair-Majarua Khas (government land), or Bhumi Sudhar ceiling-surplus land — and if any encroachment is formally recorded
8. Bhumi Sudhar / ceiling surplus records: Whether any part of a Khata was acquired by the state under the Bihar Land Reforms Act and the vesting details

Where to File: The Right Authority

Bihar's revenue hierarchy for land records operates across three practical levels for RTI purposes:

Circle Office / Anchal Karyalay (Primary Authority)

The Circle Office headed by the Circle Officer (CO) is the first and most appropriate point of RTI filing for all land record matters — Dakhil Kharij status, Jamabandi copies, Khatiyan extracts, mutation history, and Halka Karmachari records. The SPIO is the Circle Officer of the relevant Anchal. This is the office that processes mutations, maintains the physical Jamabandi, and issues Khatiyan extracts. File here for any dispute or query relating to a specific plot, mutation application, or land record discrepancy.

Sub-Divisional Office (SDO / SDNM)

The SDO's office is the next level up. File here for: matters involving multiple circles, complaints about Circle Officer inaction, land partition decrees, SDO-level mutation appeals, or government land encroachment matters that cross circle boundaries. The First Appellate Authority (FAA) for Circle Office RTI responses is typically the SDO.

District Collectorate / District Land Records Office

The District Collector's office or the District Land Records Officer handles district-level land ceiling matters, bulk survey records, and inter-circle disputes. For RTI matters where the Circle Office SPIO is unresponsive or the matter involves district-level decisions (land acquisition, ceiling surplus vesting orders), file with the PIO at the District Collectorate.

Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Old Secretariat, Patna

For policy-level queries, statewide Bhumi Sudhar records, issues with the Apna Khata digital system (bhulekh.bihar.gov.in), or matters that cannot be resolved at the district level, file with the SPIO at the Revenue and Land Reforms Department, Old Secretariat, Patna – 800 015.

How to File: Step by Step

Step 1: Identify Your Khata and Khesra Details

Before drafting your RTI, note the exact Khesra number(s), Khata number, Mauja name, Halka, and Anchal / Circle for your land. You can look up Khesra and Khata details on the Bihar Apna Khata portal (bhulekh.bihar.gov.in) or on the Bihar Bhumi app. Having the correct identifiers ensures the PIO can locate the records quickly and avoids a response of "information not traceable."

Step 2: Draft Your Application

Use the sample application above as your starting point. State your land particulars clearly at the top. Frame each request as a numbered, specific, factual query — e.g., "certified copy of Jamabandi entry for Khesra No. XXX" rather than "all documents about my land." Specific requests get faster, more complete responses.

Step 3: File Online or by Post

Online: File through the Bihar RTI portal at rtionline.bihar.gov.in. Select the Revenue and Land Reforms Department and the relevant sub-office (Circle Office for your Anchal, or SDO/Collectorate for higher-level queries). Pay the ₹10 fee via net banking, debit card, or UPI on the portal.

By Post / In Person: Send a written application by registered post to the SPIO, Circle Office, Circle Name, Block, District Name, Bihar — or deliver it in person at the Anchal Karyalay. Enclose an Indian Postal Order (IPO) of ₹10 drawn in favour of the Circle Officer (or as directed by the office). BPL cardholders are exempt from the fee; attach a copy of the BPL card. Retain the postal receipt or delivery acknowledgement — the 30-day response clock starts from the date of receipt by the PIO.

Step 4: Track and Follow Up

The SPIO must respond within 30 days of receipt (Section 7(1), RTI Act, 2005). If the information involves life or liberty, the deadline is 48 hours. If you filed online, note your registration / tracking number. If filing concerns a pending mutation, you can also simultaneously check the Bihar Bhumi app or the Apna Khata portal for the latest online mutation status.

Step 5: Appeals if Needed

If the PIO does not respond within 30 days or gives an incomplete answer, see the Appeals section below.

Detailed Information Requests You Can Make

Jamabandi and Khatiyan Records

1. Certified copy of the current Jamabandi entry for Khesra No. XXX, Khata No. XXX, Mauja Name, Anchal Name, District Name — all columns including Raiyet names, Hissa (share), area in Decimal, land classification (Raiyati / Gair-Majarua Aam / Gair-Majarua Khas / Bakasht / Bhoodan), and any mortgage or encumbrance entry
2. Certified copy of the Khatiyan (Raiyati / Gair-Majarua / Bakasht as applicable) for Khata No. XXX, Mauja Name bearing the Circle Officer's seal
3. Whether Khesra No. XXX or any portion of it is classified as Gair-Majarua Aam (public / common land), Gair-Majarua Khas (government land), or ceiling-surplus / Bhumi Sudhar land — and if so, the basis of that classification and any encroachment or unauthorised possession formally recorded

Dakhil Kharij (Mutation) Status and History

4. Status of Dakhil Kharij case No. XXX (or any pending mutation for Khesra No. XXX filed by Name) — current stage, responsible officer, reason for delay if beyond 90 days, and a copy of the mutation order if already passed
5. Complete Dakhil Kharij history for Khesra No. XXX for the last 10 years — case number, date, transferor, transferee, legal basis, and sanctioning officer for each mutation
6. Copy of the Halka Karmachari's field inquiry report (Anusandhan Prativedhan) submitted in relation to Dakhil Kharij case No. XXX
7. Copy of any hearing notice (Suchna) issued to parties in Dakhil Kharij case No. XXX and the date(s) of hearings scheduled or conducted

Encumbrance and Mortgage Records

8. Whether any mortgage (Rehan), conditional sale, charge, or lis pendens is recorded against Khesra No. XXX or Khata No. XXX in the revenue records maintained at your office — and if so, details of each entry including the nature of the encumbrance, the name of the creditor, and the date of registration

Government and Bhumi Sudhar Land

9. Whether any land in Mauja Name was acquired by the State under the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950 (ceiling surplus / Bhumi Sudhar) — if yes, the Khata and Khesra numbers involved, the date of vesting, and the current official status of that land
10. Whether any encroachment on Gair-Majarua Aam or Gair-Majarua Khas land has been formally recorded in Mauja Name and the action taken by the Anchal Office

Using Bihar's Apna Khata Portal Alongside RTI

Bihar's Apna Khata portal at bhulekh.bihar.gov.in and the Bihar Bhumi app provide free online access to Jamabandi records and Khatiyan data for all Maujas in Bihar. These tools are genuinely useful and should be used before filing an RTI:

• Apna Khata lets you view the current Jamabandi entry for any Khesra by selecting the district, sub-district (Anchal), and Mauja
• Bihar Bhumi app provides online mutation (Dakhil Kharij) application status by application number
• Both let you verify the correct Khata and Khesra identifiers before framing your RTI

However, the portal and app have limitations that make RTI indispensable for serious land matters:

Use the Apna Khata portal to identify record details and do initial research. Use RTI to get authenticated, court-admissible certified copies and to compel accountability for delays.

Appeals

First Appeal (Section 19(1)): If the Circle Office SPIO does not respond within 30 days, or provides an incomplete or evasive reply, file a First Appeal with the First Appellate Authority (FAA) — typically the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) for Circle Office matters — within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. No fee is required. The FAA must decide within 30 days (extendable to 45 days with written reasons).

Second Appeal (Section 19(3)): If the FAA's response is absent or unsatisfactory, file a Second Appeal with the Bihar State Information Commission (BSIC), Patna, within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's response deadline. No fee is required. The BSIC is constituted under Section 15 of the RTI Act as the state-level information commission for Bihar; the Central Information Commission (CIC) has no jurisdiction over Bihar state government bodies, including the Revenue and Land Reforms Department and all Circle Offices. The BSIC can direct the SPIO to furnish the information and impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on the SPIO personally under Section 20 of the RTI Act for delay or refusal without reasonable cause.

Jamabandi records, Khatiyan extracts, mutation orders, and field inquiry reports are standard revenue records routinely provided to landowners — they do not attract any Section 8 exemption. If the SPIO cites a Section 8 exemption for such records, a First Appeal pointing out the absence of any applicable exemption is likely to succeed.