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What is Khatauni (Khetawni)? Meaning, Khasra, Khata Number Explained

By Tata Capital
31 August 2026
11 mins read
3467

If you are exploring investments in farmland in India, you may come across various land revenue terms that are important to understand. One such term is Khatoni or Khatauni or Khetawni. Another is Khasra. So, Khasra Khetwani are a couple of terms you need to know. It is crucial to have a proper understanding of Khatauni/ khatoni as it plays a significant role in land ownership, especially in rural parts of India.

In this article, we will explain what is Khatoni/Khatauni, its importance, and what is the difference between Khasra and Khatauni. We will also guide you on how to obtain Khatauni details and provide useful insights along the way.

So, let’s explore what is Khasra and Khatauni are:

Understanding Khatauni: Definition and key features

What is Khatauni’s meaning? Khatauni, also spelled as Khetawni, is a type of account number that provides information about land ownership patterns within a family. In other words, it records all the Khasras owned by a family. A Khasra refers to a unique plot number allotted to a piece of land in rural areas. While a Khasra number represents an individual unit of land, Khatauni represents the record of several units owned by a person or family.

Khatauni carries essential details about the land, including its Khasra number, total area, names of owners and their fathers, year-wise ownership change details, and more. It acts as a legal document that provides comprehensive information about the land and the people who own or cultivate it.

For a land purchase loan, banks use it to verify the seller’s ownership and land legitimacy before sanctioning the loan, ensuring clear, disputed-free title.

Along with Khatauni, lenders may ask for additional paperwork. Check the complete list of documents required for a home loan application.

Detailed information found in a Khatauni

Name of the village: This indicates the name of the village where the land is located.
Name of the district: This specifies the district in which the village falls.
Khata number: The unique account number assigned to a family that owns multiple properties. If you’re wondering what khata number is, it essentially works as an identifier linking a landholder to all their plots within a village. Together, khata and Khatauni (often searched as what is khata khatauni) form the complete ownership and landholding record for a family.
Khasra number: The unique plot number assigned to each piece of land.
Name of the owner and his father: This provides the names of the landowners and their fathers.
Year-wise ownership change details: Any changes in land ownership due to succession or transfer are reflected in the Khatauni within three months.

Please note that Khatauni is made in B-I form and has 23 columns, while Khasra is made in P-II form and has only 12 columns. This difference in format and number of columns signifies their distinct purposes.

Now that we understand what Khasra and Khatauni are, let’s delve deeper into how you can obtain Khatauni details.

Also Read – All About Meghalaya Land Records

How to obtain Khatauni details online and offline?

To obtain Khatauni details offline, you can visit the village tehsil or Jan-Suvidha centres. Alternatively, most states now provide online access to these records through their official revenue department websites. These websites are commonly referred to as Bhulekh websites, where you can find land-related information.

Whether you need a quick khetwani check or a certified copy for official use, you can choose either the online or offline route depending on your convenience and urgency.

How to obtain Khatauni online

1. Visit your state’s land record portal: Go to the official Bhulekh or land records website of your respective state.

2. Navigate to Khatauni / record of rights section: Look for the relevant tab, often labelled “Khatauni,” “ROR,” or “Land Records,” on the homepage.

3. Select administrative location: Choose your district, tehsil, and village from the drop-down options provided.

4. Search for your land record: Enter the Khasra number, Khata number, or owner’s name to pull up the relevant record.

5. View and download details: Once the record appears, you can view, print, or download the Khatauni for your reference.

How to obtain Khatauni offline

Visit the local office: Head to the village tehsil, Jan-Suvidha Kendra, or the local revenue office.
Meet the revenue official: Connect with the Patwari or Lekhpal responsible for maintaining land records in your area.
Fill out the application form: Request and complete the prescribed application form for obtaining a Khatauni copy.
Attach required documents: Submit supporting documents, such as identity proof or land details, as requested by the office.
Pay nominal fee: A small processing fee is usually charged for issuing the certified copy.
Receive certified copy: After verification, the office will issue a certified Khatauni document bearing the official seal and signature.

Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and you can check your respective state’s official website for Khatauni details.

Also Read – Manipur Land Records: What You Need to Know?

Difference between Khasra and Khatauni

While Khasra and Khatauni are both terms used in land records, they represent different aspects of land ownership. A Khasra number is assigned to each parcel of land, while Khatauni represents the record of all the Khasras owned by a person or family.

The table below will further clarify Khasra and Khatauni differences:

Basis	Khasra	Khatauni
Meaning	Represents an individual plot/unit of land	Represents the record of all Khasras owned by a person or family
Form type	Prepared in P-II form	Prepared in B-I form
Number of columns	Contains 12 columns	Contains 23 columns
Scope	Plot-wise record showing area and land use	Ownership record listing all landholdings within a village
Prepared by	Patwari (village-level revenue official)	Patwari (village-level revenue official)

To understand this better, let’s consider an analogy. Think of a village as a library with several books (Khasras). Each book has its unique identification number (Khasra number), but the library also maintains a record (Khatauni) of all the books it contains.

Also, read – About the E-Rekha Kerala Land Record Portal

Regional variations and terminology

Khasra and Khatauni terminology and usage vary across Indian states due to differences in revenue laws and administrative systems. The following list highlights the different names given to Khasra in different states of the country:

North India – Khasra
Maharashtra – Survey Number
Karnataka – Survey No. or RTC

Khasra, and each of these varied terms, refers to a plot-wise land record.

Now, let’s look at the Khatauni regional terms. Khatauni records landholdings and cultivators.

Telangana – Pahani
Andhra Pradesh – Pahani
Punjab – Jamabandi
Haryana – Jamabandi
South India – Patta

In Gujarat, land records are accessed through the 7/12 extract, which combines plot and ownership details.

Also Read – JK Land Records: Everything You Need to Know

Difference between Khatauni and Khewat

Khatauni and Khewat are important land revenue records, but they serve different purposes. Khewat is an ownership register that records the names of landowners and their respective ownership shares in a village, especially in cases of joint or ancestral holdings. It focuses on the title and co-sharership.

Khatauni offers land ownership patterns within a family. It links specific Khasra numbers to individual cultivators or landholders for a given agricultural year. The record shows who is in actual possession of the land and how it is being used.

To explain Khatauni vs Khewat in simple terms, Khewat reflects ownership structure, while Khatauni reflects possession and cultivation details.

Basis	Khatauni	Khewat
Meaning	Links Khasra numbers to individual cultivators/landholders for a given year	Ownership register recording landowners’ names and their respective shares
Focus	Reflects possession and cultivation details	Focuses on title and co-sharership
Best for	Showing who is in actual possession and how land is used	Cases of joint or ancestral holdings
Nature	Record of landholding and cultivation	Record of ownership structure

Also Read – Your Guide to Bihar Bhumi: Access Bihar Land Records Online

Importance of mutation and updating Khatauni records

Mutation is the process of updating land records to reflect changes in ownership due to sale, inheritance, gift, or court orders. Keeping the Khatauni updated through timely mutation is essential, as it directly impacts your legal standing, financial credibility, and ease of future transactions related to the land. Here’s why it matters:

Proof of Official Ownership in Revenue Records: An updated Khatauni ensures your name is correctly reflected in government records as the recognised landholder.
Prevents Land Fraud and Unauthorized Re-Sale: Timely mutation reduces the risk of the same land being fraudulently sold or claimed by multiple parties.
Essential for Securing Bank Loans & Mortgages: Banks rely on updated Khatauni records to verify clear ownership before approving land-based loans.
Eligibility for Government Subsidies & Crop Insurance: Farmers need updated records to access schemes, subsidies, and crop insurance benefits linked to their land.
Smooth Government Land Acquisition Compensation: In case of land acquisition by the government, an updated Khatauni ensures rightful compensation reaches the correct owner.
Simplifies Future Inheritance and Resale: Accurate, updated records make it easier for legal heirs to inherit the property or for owners to sell it without ownership disputes.

Also Read – A Complete Guide to Using the Bhoomi Karnataka Land Record Portal

How to verify the authenticity of a Khatauni document?

The step-by-step process to verify Khatauni document authenticity is as follows:

Check the official land records portal: Visit your state’s authorized Bhulekh or land records website and match the Khata number, Khasra details, and owner names.
Review certified copies: Ensure all details are accurate on the certified Khatauni copy received from the Tehsil or revenue office.
Verify revenue stamps and signatures: Ensure the document bears official seals, digital signatures, or QR codes, as applicable.
Cross-check mutation entries: The details on the mutation must include all recent information. This includes transfers and sales.
Talk to revenue officials or a lawyer: You can reach out to experts to confirm the authenticity of a Khatauni.

Legal standing of Khatauni in land ownership and disputes

Khatauni’s role in ownership is significant, but it is not conclusive proof of legal title. It is a revenue record that reflects possession, cultivation, and the names of recorded landholders for a specific period. Courts often rely on Khatauni entries as supporting evidence to establish possession, continuity, and enjoyment of land, especially in rural and agricultural disputes.

A crucial aspect to understand here is that if there are opposing claims, courts rely on registered documents instead of a Khatauni. Incorrect or outdated Khatauni records can be challenged through mutation proceedings or revenue courts.

Also Read – Comprehensive Guide to Goa Land Records – DSLR Goa

Role of Khatauni in urban and semi-urban land transactions

Khatauni has a supporting role in urban and semi-urban land transactions. While it primarily records agricultural land possession and cultivation, it is often used in semi-urban areas to verify historical ownership, land boundaries, and continuity of possession before conversion or development. Buyers and lenders refer to Khatauni to check for pending disputes, joint holdings, or incorrect entries.

In urbanising regions, it helps establish the land’s revenue history before applying for land-use conversion, layout approvals, or mutation in municipal records. However, Khatauni isn’t all that you need for urban property transactions. Registered sale deeds, approved layouts, and municipal records are essential land transaction documents for determining legal ownership.

If you’re planning to build on such land, you can explore Tata Capital’s affordable housing loan options to fund your construction.

Conclusion

Understanding Khatauni or Khetawni is essential when dealing with rural land ownership in India. It provides crucial information about land ownership patterns within a family and serves as legal documentation for property transactions. By obtaining Khatauni details, you can verify important information such as the owner’s name, total area, and year-wise ownership changes.

To recap, we discussed what Khatauni is, what is the difference between khasra and Khatauni, and how to obtain Khatauni records online. Remember to consult your state’s respective Bhulekh website for accurate and up-to-date information.

If you are considering purchasing land or need financial assistance, Tata Capital offers various loans to fulfill your needs. Whether you’re looking for a home loan or need to calculate your monthly installments using our Home Loan EMI Calculator, Tata Capital has you covered. Take the next step towards fulfilling your dreams of land ownership with Tata Capital’s reliable financial solutions.

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FAQs

What is the difference between Khatauni and Khewat?

A Khatauni is a document with the details of all land holdings by a family, while a Khewat number is an account number given to land owners who jointly own a land parcel.

Does the Khatauni number change?

Khatauni numbers can change if the land record is updated due to changes in ownership, boundaries, or cultivation. However, the number remains the same unless a legal modification occurs.

Is Khatauni proof of ownership?

Khatauni provides important information regarding land cultivation details and ownership, but it is not legal proof of ownership. It only lists the names of individuals who have the right to the land.

Who prepares Khasra and Khatauni?

Patwari, who is a village-level revenue official, prepares the Khasra and Khatauni.

How to get a Khatauni number?

To obtain the Khatauni number, visit the local revenue department website of your state or inquire at a jan-suvidha centre or the village tehsil.

How do I get Khatauni details online in my state?

You can access Khatauni details through your state’s official land records portal, such as Bhulekh or Bhoomi. Select your district, tehsil, village, and enter the Khasra or Khata number to view, download, or print the Khatauni online.

What is the difference between Khasra and Khatauni?

Khasra is a plot-wise record that shows details of a specific land parcel, including area and land use. Khatauni, on the other hand, is an ownership record that lists all land holdings of a landowner within a village.

Are Khatauni and Khetawni the same?

Yes, Khatauni and Khetawni refer to the same land record document. The difference is linguistic or regional usage, as “Khetawni” is a colloquial variation used in some states, while the legal term remains Khatauni.

How to verify Khatauni document?

You can verify a Khatauni online through your state's revenue/land records portal. Enter district, tehsil, village, and Khasra/Khatauni number or owner's name. The portal displays land ownership, area, and type details, confirming the document's authenticity against official records.

Can Khatauni be used for loan approval?

Yes, Khatauni is commonly accepted by banks and financial institutions as proof of land ownership for agricultural loans, crop loans, or land-based credit. It establishes the applicant's title and landholding details. However, banks may also require additional documents like Khasra, mutation records, or a No Dues Certificate.

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What is Khatauni (Khetawni)? Meaning, Khasra, Khata Number Explained

Understanding Khatauni: Definition and key features

Detailed information found in a Khatauni