Primary revenue ownership and cultivation records in South India (Tamil Nadu Anyatha, Andhra Pradesh Meebhoomi, and Telangana) comprising Patta (government title deed), Chitta (land classification and tax register), and Adangal (crop and cultivation ledger)
While a registered Sale Deed proves transfer between two parties, the Sub-Registrar and municipal planning authorities (like CMDA and DTCP) will NOT approve building plans or layout sanctions without an updated Patta in your name. If the Patta remains in the seller's name, you cannot mortgage the property or obtain utility connections.
💡 In South India, Patta, Chitta, and Adangal are the cornerstone land records. A Patta is a government-issued title certificate in the name of the owner, indicating survey number, subdivision, and area. A Chitta is the revenue account maintained by the Village Administrative Officer (VAO) specifying whether the land is wetland (Nanjai) or dryland (Punjai) and the government tax assessed. An Adangal is the operational field register detailing the season-by-season crops cultivated, tree yield, soil quality, and tenancy.
Understanding South Indian land documentation terminology.
| Document | Primary Purpose | Issuing Revenue Authority | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patta (பட்டா) | Government title ownership certificate for a specific landholder | Taluk Tahsildar / Zonal Deputy Tahsildar | Contains owner legal name, Patta number, survey number, and area extent |
| Chitta (சிட்டா) | Village revenue ledger classifying land and land tax liability | Village Administrative Officer (VAO) | Differentiates wetland (Nanjai), dryland (Punjai), and government tax assessment |
| Adangal (அடங்கல்) | Cultivation and crop register updated seasonal agricultural cycles | Village Administrative Officer & Revenue Inspector | Records crops planted, irrigation source (well, borewell, canal), and tenant cultivators |
| FMB Sketch (புல வரைபடம்) | Field Measurement Book sketch depicting exact boundary survey lines | Taluk Surveyor / Survey & Land Records Department | Graphic representation of survey parcel with ladder measurements and stone points |
Instant online view and download (under 2 minutes); manual Patta transfer through Taluk Tahsildar takes 15 to 30 working days.
Viewing and downloading digitally signed Patta Chitta online via the official Tamil Nadu or Meebhoomi portal is 100% free of charge; manual mutation / transfer fee is ₹60 to ₹100.
Anyone can freely view and download uncertified public land records; official digitally signed Patta Chitta / 1B Adangal extracts can be downloaded by landowners and citizens online.
Property buyers and real estate investors in South India verifying undisputed land title; individuals constructing homes requiring CMDA/DTCP building plan approvals; farmers seeking crop loans, power subsidies, and disaster compensation.
Visit the official portal at eservices.tn.gov.in and click on 'View Patta / Chitta' (பட்டா / சிட்டா விவரங்களை பார்வையிட).
Select your District and specify whether the land is situated in a Rural (கிராமப்புறம்) or Urban (நகர்ப்புறம்) area.
Select your Taluk and the specific Revenue Village from the dropdown list.
Choose 'Patta Number' (if known) or 'Survey Number'. If selecting survey number, enter the Survey Number and pick the Sub-Division number.
Type the security captcha code and click 'Submit' (சமர்ப்பி).
The computerized Patta Chitta extract appears on screen with owner names, land extent (in Hectares and Ares), tax amount, and digital authentication seal. Print or save as PDF.
When you buy property or inherit ancestral assets, apply for Patta Transfer via the Tamil Nadu E-Sevai portal.
Visit the Tamil Nadu Citizen Portal (tnesevai.tn.gov.in) and register for an individual citizen account.
Click on 'Revenue Department' and select 'Application for Patta Transfer (Involving Subdivision / Non-Subdivision)'.
Input the current Patta number, Survey Number, Sub-division, and seller details as recorded in the title deed.
Upload scanned copies of the registered Sale Deed, Encumbrance Certificate (EC), prior Patta copy, and Aadhaar card.
The Village Administrative Officer (VAO) and Taluk Surveyor conduct a spot inspection (if subdivision is required) and submit a report to the Zonal Deputy Tahsildar.
The Deputy Tahsildar approves the transfer, and a fresh Patta is generated in your name, downloadable instantly online.
Andhra Pradesh landowners can retrieve digital 1-B (RoR) and Adangal extracts directly from the Meebhoomi portal.
Navigate to the official AP Meebhoomi portal at meebhoomi.ap.gov.in.
From the top navigation bar, select 'Adangal' (for crop/possession details) or '1-B' (for ownership ledger).
Search by Survey Number, Account (Khata) Number, Aadhaar Number, or Automation Record.
Choose District, Mandal, Village name, and input the Survey Number.
Enter the captcha code and click submit to view and download the official 1-B / Adangal PDF.
Standard solutions for common South Indian land record errors.
| Issue / Problem | Underlying Reason | Actionable Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Online portal displays 'Patta Not Found' for a valid survey number | Legacy data digitization pending or urban ward restructuring | Visit the Taluk office / Town Survey office in person with your original registered deed and manual Patta book to request database re-indexing. |
| Joint Patta exists with deceased co-sharers or third parties | Kootu Patta (கூட்டுப் பட்டா) where multiple owners are listed | Apply for Sub-Division Patta Transfer (உட்பிரிவு பட்டா மாறுதல்) through E-Sevai, pay the ₹400 surveyor fee, and obtain an individual Thani Patta. |
| Land classification incorrectly marked as 'Government Poramboke' | Erroneous entry during UDR (Up-Dating Registry) scheme | File an appeal before the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) / Sub-Collector under UDR Correction Guidelines with pre-UDR parent title deeds. |
Under recent circulars from the Inspector General of Registration (IGR) Tamil Nadu, registering a sale deed or construction agreement requires either an updated online Patta or parent document continuity linked to a valid Patta number to curb land grabbing.
Thani Patta (Individual Patta) is issued when a single person exclusively owns the designated survey sub-division. Kootu Patta (Joint Patta) is issued when multiple individuals jointly own undivided shares within the same survey number.
Grama Natham is land set aside historically for village residential dwelling (house sites). It is not government property. Occupants can obtain a Natham Patta from the Tahsildar by submitting proof of continuous long-term residence, house tax receipts, and electricity bills.
Yes. Digitally signed Patta Chitta extracts downloaded from eservices.tn.gov.in carry a verifiable QR code and are 100% accepted by commercial and cooperative banks for mortgage creation and title verification.
Statutory enactment governing survey operations, boundary demarcation, and land records in Tamil Nadu.
Official Department of Revenue Administration digital land database.
Transfer of property ownership in revenue records
Official Record of Rights (RoR) extract issued under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 and Gujarat Land Revenue Code, combining Village Form VII (land ownership & rights) and Village Form XII (crop details, agricultural tenancy, and government/bank encumbrances)
Foundational Record of Rights (RoR) document across Northern and Central India (UP, MP, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand) comprising Khasra (plot survey details, crops, and land classification) and Khatauni (tenure holder ownership ledger, shares, and mortgage encumbrances)
Primary agricultural land title and crop register document in Karnataka issued under the Karnataka Land Revenue Act, 1964 through the Bhoomi digital portal, combining ownership rights (Form 16), mutation register (MR) references, soil classification, and seasonal cultivation data
Certificate showing property is free from legal dues
Official crop insurance policy certificate issued under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) via the National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP), providing comprehensive yield-based and weather-adversity financial risk protection against prevented sowing, mid-season drought/flood damage, localized calamities, and post-harvest losses
Legal documents for property transfer
Issued by the Department of Revenue Administration, Government of Tamil Nadu (Anyatha) and Revenue Departments of Andhra Pradesh (Meebhoomi) and Telangana (Dharani).
Anyatha - Tamil Nadu Land Records E-Services →