Assam Land Records: Dag, Patta and Jamabandi Explained

Assam land records identify a plot by its dag number and a holding by its patta number. A periodic patta gives a permanent, heritable and transferable right in the land. An annual patta is a one-year lease that cannot be sold or sublet, so check the patta type before you buy.

Key facts

Dag number and patta number

The dag number is the field number on the cadastral map of a village. The Settlement Rules say the chitha (field index) is arranged by the serial number of fields, and each entry shows the field’s area, its holder, the tenure and its land class. Assam’s Bhunaksha map shows each dag with its patta number, patta type and ULPIN, the 14-digit land parcel ID explained in our ULPIN guide.

The patta number identifies the lease or holding under which a pattadar (landholder) holds one or more dags. The jamabandi is organised by patta, and the Dharitree jamabandi view lets you search by patta type with either patta number or dag number.

A note on the ALRR says that “the record-of-rights is the jamabandi based on the chitha and the field map”. In short: dag and chitha describe the land, patta and jamabandi describe who holds it. Other states use khasra and khata for the same pair, as our khasra and khata explainer shows.

Periodic vs annual patta

Both points on rights come from Rule 1(2) of the Settlement Rules under the ALRR. Section 9 of the ALRR adds that a landholder’s rights depend on paying the land revenue and taxes assessed on the land.

Reading the jamabandi

Under the Settlement Rules, an Assam jamabandi shows at least:

1. Number of the estate (the patta).
2. Name, father’s name and residence of the pattadar.
3. Number of each field (dag).
4. Area of each field.
5. Class of each field.
6. Area of each class in each field.
7. Revenue, if any.
8. Local rate.

Section 41(2) of the ALRR says every entry in the record of rights is presumed correct until the contrary is proved. That presumption can be challenged, so a buyer still needs the deed chain. To view a record, open Dharitree and pick district, circle and village. The Landhub page shows the same jamabandi in 22 languages. Dharitree notes that if your record is missing online, you should contact your circle office.

Mutation and settlement services

Most land services run through Sewa Setu under the Assam Right to Public Services Act. You can apply online, at a Public Facilitation Centre (PFC) or at a Common Service Centre (CSC). Centres add a ₹30 service charge, ₹10 a page for printing and ₹5 a page for scanning.

For mutation you file a sworn declaration that the land is free from encumbrance and litigation and that your holding stays within the land ceiling. The land revenue receipt is fetched automatically from e-Khajana. Sewa Setu also offers a non-encumbrance certificate; see our encumbrance certificate guide for what that proves.

Conversion of annual to periodic patta

Rule 13 of the Settlement Rules lets the Deputy Commissioner convert an annual lease into a periodic one, and Rule 13A allows a premium. On Sewa Setu the service takes 90 working days. The land must:

• be demarcated and surveyed, in a village that has been surveyed, mapped and classed;
• be cultivated with a permanent crop or used for a permanent home;
• be free of any dispute over possession or title;
• be in the name of the original annual patta holder or legal heirs.

In rural areas, no land within 22.5 metres of the centre line of a PWD road or national highway, or 15 metres of other roads, is converted. Land sold in breach of the rules is not converted, and ceiling limits still apply.

Supporting papers are the latest land revenue receipt, the annual patta, a demarcated trace map, the chitha copy and identity proof. Mission Basundhara 3.0 also lists a digital annual-to-periodic conversion service at “rationalised” rates for towns and their peripheries.

Getting certified copies

1. Register on Sewa Setu with your mobile number.
2. Choose Certified Copy of Jamabandi or Records of Right/Chitha and read the Requirements tab.
3. Fill in the circle, village, patta number and dag number.
4. Upload an up-to-date land revenue receipt.
5. Pay the ₹20 application fee and ₹10 convenience fee online.
6. Download the copy from the portal once the SMS arrives, within 5 days under the citizen charter.

Only an existing pattadar can apply for this service. For the current year’s chitha, the e-Chitha service is open to a pattadar, heir, attorney holder or anyone with an interest in the land. A certified copy of a mutation order takes 5 working days and needs court fee stamps. Before buying, go through our property legal checklist. For a complex title question, consult a lawyer.

Frequently asked questions

What is a dag number in Assam?

It is the field or plot number on the village cadastral map, used in the chitha and the jamabandi.

What is the difference between periodic and annual patta?

A periodic patta gives permanent, heritable and transferable rights. An annual patta is a one-year lease with no right to sell, sublet or pass it on beyond the year.

Can I buy annual patta land in Assam?

The Settlement Rules say an annual lease can be cancelled for any transfer. Ask the seller to convert it to periodic patta first, or take legal advice.

How do I check Assam land records by dag number?

Open the Dharitree jamabandi view, select district, circle and village, choose the patta type, and search by dag number.

Is the online jamabandi a certified copy?

No. Dharitree directs you to Sewa Setu for a certified copy of the jamabandi or record of rights.

How long does mutation take in Assam?

Sixty working days under the Sewa Setu citizen charter, for both mutation after a registered deed and mutation by inheritance.

Sources

• Assam Land and Revenue Regulation, 1886, with rules — Assam Administrative Staff College (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Certified Copy of Jamabandi or Records of Right/Chitha — Sewa Setu, Government of Assam (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• e-Chitha for Patta Land for Current Year — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Conversion of Land from Annual Patta to Periodic Patta — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Mutation after deed registration — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Mutation by right of inheritance — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Partition of Land — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Name Correction — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Area Correction — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Issuance of Certified Copy of Mutation Order — Sewa Setu (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Dharitree services for citizens — Revenue and Disaster Management Department, Assam (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Jamabandi search by patta or dag number — ILRMS Assam (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Bhunaksha Assam — Revenue and Disaster Management Department (checked 16 Sep 2026)
• Mission Basundhara 3.0 services — Government of Assam (checked 16 Sep 2026)