Glossary · Land records
What is Patta?
Also called: Patta-Chitta, Patta number
A patta is a revenue document in Tamil Nadu and other southern states that records who holds a piece of land, issued by the revenue department under a patta number.
In Tamil Nadu, the patta names the landholder and lists the survey numbers held under that patta number. The chitta gives each plot’s area and classification (for example, wet or dry land), and the A-register (adangal) records further details.
Patta and chitta details can be viewed online through Tamil Nadu’s e-Services. When land is sold or inherited, the patta is transferred into the new holder’s name.
The word patta is also used in other states, such as Odisha, Assam and Andhra Pradesh, for documents that record land allotment or rights.
Why it matters if you live abroad
A patta still in a deceased parent’s name leaves room for someone else to apply for a transfer — apply for patta transfer as soon as you inherit.
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