By Advocate Md. Shah Alam · 2026-07-07 · 11 min read
A khatian (also called Porcha or Record of Rights) is the official government document that proves land ownership in Bangladesh. Whether you are buying land, verifying ownership, applying for a loan, or settling an inheritance dispute, checking the khatian is the essential first step. In 2026, you can check all types of khatian — CS, SA, RS, and BS — online through the Bangladesh government's eporcha.gov.bd portal without visiting any office. This complete guide walks you through every method and every type of khatian search available in Bangladesh today.
A Khatian (রেকর্ড অফ রাইটস) is the official Record of Rights (ROR) maintained by the Bangladesh government for every plot of land in the country. Each khatian is a legal document that records:
In Bangladesh, khatians are the primary evidence of land ownership. A registered deed without a corresponding khatian in the buyer's name (after namjari/mutation) is considered incomplete proof of ownership. Khatians are maintained at the Upazila Land Office level and are accessible digitally through the eporcha.gov.bd portal managed by the Ministry of Land, Bangladesh.
Every khatian has a unique Khatian Number within a specific Mouza (village land unit). Each plot of land within that khatian has a DAG Number (also called plot number). The combination of District + Upazila + Mouza + Khatian Number + DAG Number uniquely identifies any piece of land in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has gone through multiple land survey operations since the British era, each producing a new set of khatians. Understanding which type of khatian is which is essential for proper land record verification.
| Khatian Type | Full Name | Survey Period | Current Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS Khatian | Cadastral Survey | 1888–1940 | Historical reference; root of title chain |
| SA Khatian | State Acquisition Survey | 1956–1963 | Used after zamindari abolition |
| RS Khatian | Revisional Survey | 1965–1995 (varies by district) | Most commonly used; legally important |
| BS Khatian | Bangladesh Survey / City Jorip | 1985–ongoing | Most current record; primary in urban areas |
CS Khatian: The oldest and most foundational land record, conducted by the British colonial government between 1888–1940. CS khatians are still referenced in courts because they establish the original ownership chain — a property's title chain often begins with the CS khatian as the root of title.
SA Khatian: After the zamindari (landlord) system was abolished under the East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, 1950, SA khatians (conducted 1956–1963) replaced zamindari records with direct ownership by cultivators and homesteaders.
RS Khatian: The RS survey was conducted to update CS records. RS khatians are the most commonly used khatians in current land transactions. When people say 'check the khatian,' they usually mean the RS khatian. Most deed transactions reference RS DAG and khatian numbers.
BS Khatian: The BS survey (also called City Survey in urban areas) is the most recent. Where BS survey has been completed, BS khatian is the most current and authoritative record. In Dhaka, Chattogram, and other major cities, BS/City Jorip khatians are the primary reference documents.
A standard Bangladesh khatian contains the following fields of information:
| Field | Bengali Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| District | জেলা | The district where the land is located |
| Upazila/Thana | উপজেলা/থানা | The sub-district administrative unit |
| Mouza | মৌজা | The village-level land unit; each mouza has a unique JL number |
| JL Number | জেএল নম্বর | Jurisdiction List number uniquely identifying the mouza |
| Khatian Number | খতিয়ান নম্বর | The unique identifier for this record within the mouza |
| Owner Name (Malak) | মালিকের নাম | Name(s) of the recorded land owner(s) |
| Father/Husband Name | পিতা/স্বামীর নাম | For identity verification of the owner |
| DAG Number(s) | দাগ নম্বর | Plot number(s) within this khatian |
| Land Classification | জমির শ্রেণী | Type: agricultural (khamar), homestead (bari), pond (pukur), etc. |
| Area | পরিমাণ | Size of the plot in acres and decimals |
| Share | হিস্সা | If multiple owners, the fractional share of each owner |
| Annual Rent/Tax | খাজনা | Land development tax payable annually |
Having this information readily available from the khatian allows you to verify that the seller, donor, or other party has the exact ownership rights they claim before any transaction. Always cross-reference the khatian with the registered deed for a complete picture.
The eporcha.gov.bd portal is the official Bangladesh government platform for accessing land records digitally. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Searching a khatian by the owner's name is one of the most useful features of the eporcha.gov.bd portal, especially when you do not know the exact khatian number.
If you know the DAG number (plot number) of the land, this is often the most precise way to find the khatian. DAG numbers are typically mentioned in sale deeds, gift deeds, and other land documents.
A single khatian can contain multiple DAG numbers (plots). Conversely, a single DAG can sometimes appear in multiple khatians if the land has been subdivided among co-sharers. When searching by DAG, the results will show: the khatian number(s) associated with that DAG, the owner name(s), the total area of the DAG, and the share of each owner.
It is important to note that DAG numbers can change between survey types. The CS DAG number for a plot may be different from the RS DAG number and the BS DAG number. Sale deeds in Bangladesh typically mention both the old (CS/SA) DAG and the current (RS/BS) DAG for this reason. If you have an old DAG number, you may need to cross-reference with the Sub-Registry Office or Tahsil Office to find the corresponding current DAG number. The dlrs.gov.bd portal also maintains some cross-reference data for DAG numbers across survey types.
One of the most valuable features of eporcha.gov.bd is the ability to download a certified digital copy of your khatian (called an e-Porcha). This certified copy is legally recognized for most purposes in Bangladesh.
| Khatian Type | Online Fee (2026) |
|---|---|
| RS Khatian (certified copy) | ৳115 |
| BS/City Survey Khatian | ৳115 |
| SA Khatian (certified copy) | ৳150 |
| CS Khatian (certified copy) | ৳165 |
Payment can be made via bKash, Nagad, Rocket, DBBL Nexus, VISA/Mastercard. The digital copy has a unique verification QR code and is electronically signed by the authorized government officer.
Yes. Under the Evidence Act (Amendment) 2022 provisions for electronic records, digitally certified copies downloaded from official government portals are admissible as evidence in Bangladesh courts. The QR code on each copy allows courts and parties to verify its authenticity against the government database in real time.
For those who prefer mobile access, the Bangladesh Land Ministry has launched the 'Land Bangladesh' app that allows khatian searches from a smartphone.
The app is available in both Bengali and English and is optimized for low-bandwidth connections, making it useful even in rural areas with slower internet. Note that the app requires Android 6.0+ or iOS 12+ to function properly.
One of the most confusing aspects of Bangladesh land law is understanding which khatian takes precedence when there are discrepancies between CS, SA, RS, and BS records.
As a general rule, the most recent completed survey (BS where available, otherwise RS) is the authoritative record for the current ownership situation. Older khatians (CS and SA) establish the historical chain of title but do not override more recent surveys.
| Use Case | Primary Khatian |
|---|---|
| Tracing original chain of title (pre-1947) | CS Khatian |
| Post-zamindari ownership disputes (1950s–60s) | SA Khatian |
| Most rural land transactions in Bangladesh | RS Khatian |
| Urban property in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet | BS/City Jorip Khatian |
| Bank loan against agricultural land | RS Khatian |
| Deed registration at Sub-Registry Office | RS or BS Khatian (whichever is latest completed) |
Despite digitization efforts, khatian records in Bangladesh still suffer from various issues that can create legal complications for landowners and buyers. Here are the most common problems and how to address them:
Clerical errors in recording owner names (wrong spelling, wrong father's name) are extremely common, especially in older khatians. Solution: Apply for a correction (mutation/bintam) at the AC Land office with supporting documents including NID, original deed, and an affidavit confirming the correct name.
The area shown in the khatian may differ from the actual measurement of the land on the ground. This can be due to survey errors, encroachment, or changes in land boundaries. Solution: Commission a licensed land surveyor (Amin) to conduct a fresh measurement. If the discrepancy is due to survey error, apply for correction at the land office.
If the khatian still shows the name of a deceased person, the heirs must complete namjari to transfer the record into their names. Until namjari is done, the land records are outdated and cannot be used for transactions. Read our Namjari Guide for the full process.
In some cases, a single plot may appear in multiple khatians due to past survey errors or fraudulent registrations. This requires court intervention to cancel the fraudulent khatian and establish the correct one.
If your privately owned land appears as government khas land in the khatian due to a survey error, you must file an application with the DC office (District Commissioner) along with all documentary evidence of your ownership to have the classification corrected.
Q: Is khatian check on eporcha.gov.bd free?
A: Searching and viewing khatian information on eporcha.gov.bd is free. Downloading a certified copy (e-Porcha) costs ৳115–৳165 depending on the type of khatian.
Q: Can I check a khatian for any district of Bangladesh on eporcha?
A: Yes. The eporcha.gov.bd portal covers all 64 districts of Bangladesh. However, the level of digitization varies — urban and semi-urban areas have more complete digital records than remote rural areas.
Q: What is the difference between a khatian and a deed?
A: A deed (registered at the Sub-Registry Office) is the document that transfers ownership from one person to another. A khatian is the government's official record of who currently owns the land. Both together constitute full proof of ownership in Bangladesh.
Q: My name is not in the khatian even though I have a registered deed. What should I do?
A: This means you have purchased the land but have not yet completed Namjari (Mutation). Apply for namjari at the AC Land office. Read our guide: How to Track Namjari Status Online.
Q: What is the difference between a khatian and a mouza map (naksha)?
A: A khatian is the textual record showing ownership and plot details. A mouza map (naksha) is the corresponding graphical map showing where each DAG plot is physically located within the mouza. Both are available on eporcha.gov.bd.
Q: Can I use a khatian copy downloaded from eporcha in court?
A: Yes. Digitally certified copies from eporcha.gov.bd are admissible as evidence in Bangladesh courts under the provisions for electronic records. The QR code allows verification of authenticity.
Q: What if there is an error in my khatian (wrong name, wrong area)?
A: Errors in khatians can be corrected through an official mutation/correction application at the AC Land office with supporting documents. A lawyer can help navigate the correction process efficiently.
Khatian verification is the critical first step in any land transaction in Bangladesh — and discrepancies in khatian records are one of the most common causes of land fraud and title disputes. At the Law Chamber of Adv. Md. Shah Alam in Uttara, Dhaka, we provide comprehensive land record verification and dispute resolution services:
Our chamber is located in Uttara, Dhaka. We offer a free initial consultation to assess your land record situation and advise you on the best course of action.
📞 Contact Adv. Shah Alam today for expert land title verification. Book your free consultation and protect your property investment.
Also read: Namjari Tracking Guide 2026 | Land Registration Fees in Bangladesh 2026 | DLRMS Bangladesh Guide