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Pahani (RTC – Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops) is the primary revenue land record used in Karnataka that shows who holds the land, how it is used, and what crops are cultivated on it, survey-wise for each parcel. It is crucial for verifying ownership, conducting transactions, accessing loans and subsidies, and resolving disputes.
What it is
- Pahani/RTC is an official extract from the Revenue Department that consolidates ownership details, cultivation/tenancy information, and land-use classification for a specific survey and sub-division (hissa) number.
- It functions as a “record of rights,” and entries are treated as presumptively correct unless legally rebutted, making it central evidence in land-related matters.
Key contents
- Survey number and sub-division (hissa), extent/area, and khata number.
- Owner’s name and mode of acquisition noted through mutations.
- Land use and classification (agricultural, irrigation source, soil type), and season-wise crops.
- Liabilities/encumbrances such as bank loans or charges, and any government/public rights recorded.
Why it matters
- Ownership proof: Used in sale/registration, mutation after sale or inheritance, and due diligence to confirm the current recorded holder.
- Finance and benefits: Required by banks for agri and mortgage loans; needed to access government schemes, subsidies, and crop insurance.
- Dispute resolution: Widely relied upon by revenue offices, courts, and planners for boundary, possession, and usage disputes.
- Planning and compliance: Helps verify permissible land use, supports tax assessment, and informs agricultural planning based on crop history and soil/irrigation details.
Practical tips
- Always match the latest RTC with mutation entries to ensure current ownership status.
- Cross-check RTC with the Encumbrance Certificate for a fuller picture of registered transactions and burdens.
- Keep updated, digitally signed copies; these are generally accepted by banks, revenue authorities, and courts across Karnataka.
If helpful, a concise comparison can be remembered as:
- RTC/Pahani: Rural/agricultural land record of rights, cultivation, and use.
- Khata: Urban municipal account for property tax; not a title document.
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Published 9/30/2025