बिहार विशेष भूमि सर्वेक्षण: स्वघोषणा, वंशावली, खानापुरी और आपत्ति
At a glance
- Law
- Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Act, 2011
- Who
- Every raiyat and legal heir of a recorded holder
- Where
- Survey camp of the village (online or in person)
- Time
- Stage-wise · objections decided in weeks to months
What it is
Bihar is resurveying its land under the Bihar Special Survey and Settlement Act, 2011 and its Rules. New maps and a new record of rights (khatiyan) are being prepared village by village and will replace the old Cadastral and Revisional Survey records. An error made at this stage, such as a wrong name, a missing co-sharer, a wrong area or a plot recorded as government land, can be very difficult to correct later. Each landholder should therefore watch every stage in his or her village.
Who should act
Every raiyat (landholder) and every legal heir of a recorded holder whose land lies in a village under survey, including family members living outside Bihar.
Stages of the survey
- 1
Notification and village meeting
The survey of the village is notified, and the survey camp holds a meeting in the village explaining the schedule.
- 2
Self-declaration with family tree (vanshavali)
Each landholder submits a self-declaration of his or her plots, with the family tree and supporting documents, online or at the survey camp.
- 3
Plot measurement (kistwar)
The survey staff (amin) measure plots on the ground and prepare the map.
- 4
Khanapuri
Ownership, possession and area are recorded plot by plot, and a khanapuri parcha is given to each landholder showing what has been recorded.
- 5
Claims and objections
If the khanapuri parcha is wrong, a claim or objection is filed with documents before the survey camp within the time notified. The camp officers hear the parties and decide.
- 6
Draft record of rights
The draft khatiyan is published in the village, and a further opportunity is given to object.
- 7
Final publication
After objections are decided, the final record of rights is published. Remedies against it lie under the Act and before the courts.
Documents required
Checklist · 7 items- Old khatiyan (Cadastral and Revisional Survey) of the plots
- Registered deeds of purchase, gift or partition
- Current jamabandi and latest rent receipt
- Family tree (vanshavali), with death certificates of deceased recorded holders
- Court decrees or orders concerning the land, if any
- Mutation orders
- Identity proof of the landholder
Time usually taken
Stage-wise, as notified for each village
The survey runs on a stage-wise schedule notified for each village. A claim or objection at the khanapuri or draft-record stage is ordinarily decided within a few weeks to a few months of filing. The stated aim of the State Government is to complete the survey by the end of 2026, but the timetable has been extended more than once.
Points to remember
- 01Check the khanapuri parcha and the draft record as soon as they are issued. The objection period at each stage is short.
- 02Where a family partition was oral, all co-sharers should state their shares consistently in the self-declaration and the family tree, to avoid conflicting entries.
- 03Daughters are legal heirs under the Hindu Succession Act. A family tree that leaves out a daughter can lead to objections and later litigation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a khanapuri parcha in the Bihar land survey?
A plot-wise record of ownership, possession and area, given to each landholder at the khanapuri stage, showing what the survey has recorded.
What should be done if the khanapuri parcha is wrong?
A claim or objection is filed with documents before the survey camp within the time notified. The objection period at each stage is short.
Should daughters be included in the vanshavali for the survey?
Yes. Daughters are legal heirs under the Hindu Succession Act. A family tree that leaves out a daughter can lead to objections and later litigation.
When will the Bihar land survey be completed?
The stated aim of the State Government is to complete the survey by the end of 2026, but the timetable has been extended more than once.
About the author
Advocate Vivekanand
Founder & Principal Advocate, Vivekanand Law Firm · MA (English), MBA, LL.B., Author. Full profile
Disclaimer. This publication is for general legal information and education only. It is not legal advice on any particular matter and does not create an advocate-client relationship. Procedures, fees and time limits change from time to time and may differ from office to office; verify the current position before acting.
यह प्रकाशन केवल सामान्य कानूनी जानकारी और शिक्षण के लिए है; यह किसी विशेष मामले में कानूनी सलाह नहीं है, और इससे अधिवक्ता-मुवक्किल संबंध नहीं बनता।
— Adv. Vivekanand, Motihari
Related practice
Civil and Property Litigation