Survey number explained: What land buyers in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai & other cities must know
1/9
The one number you shouldn't ignore when buying land
Buying land? Find this number before you sign the deal
Every piece of land has an identification number in government records.
It may be called a Survey Number, Khasra Number, Gat Number, Gata Number, Dag Number or Plot Number, depending on where the property is located.
This number helps connect the land you see on the ground with its official government records.
Visual idea: Homebuyer examining a property document alongside a land map, with one parcel highlighted.
Every piece of land has an identification number in government records.
It may be called a Survey Number, Khasra Number, Gat Number, Gata Number, Dag Number or Plot Number, depending on where the property is located.
This number helps connect the land you see on the ground with its official government records.
Visual idea: Homebuyer examining a property document alongside a land map, with one parcel highlighted.
2/9
Why does every piece of land need this number?
Think of it as the land's identity
A survey or parcel number helps government authorities identify a specific piece of land and maintain its records.
It can help establish:
*Which parcel is being referred to
*Where the parcel is located
*How much land it covers
*Who is recorded as having rights over it
*How the parcel has been divided or changed over time
In simple terms, it helps the government identify one piece of land from another.
The number becomes especially important when the property is sold, divided, transferred or developed.
A survey or parcel number helps government authorities identify a specific piece of land and maintain its records.
It can help establish:
*Which parcel is being referred to
*Where the parcel is located
*How much land it covers
*Who is recorded as having rights over it
*How the parcel has been divided or changed over time
In simple terms, it helps the government identify one piece of land from another.
The number becomes especially important when the property is sold, divided, transferred or developed.
3/9
What can this number help you find?
One number can unlock several land records
Depending on the state and the type of record available, you may be able to find details such as:
Owner or pattadar details
Who is recorded in the land records
Land extent
The area of the parcel
Survey and sub-division details
The exact parcel and, where applicable, its smaller divisions
Location details
Village, mandal/taluk, district and other administrative information
Land classification
How the land is recorded or classified
Map and boundaries
The parcel's position and its relationship with neighbouring land
You may also find mutation and Record of Rights (RoR) information, depending on the state's system.
Depending on the state and the type of record available, you may be able to find details such as:
Owner or pattadar details
Who is recorded in the land records
Land extent
The area of the parcel
Survey and sub-division details
The exact parcel and, where applicable, its smaller divisions
Location details
Village, mandal/taluk, district and other administrative information
Land classification
How the land is recorded or classified
Map and boundaries
The parcel's position and its relationship with neighbouring land
You may also find mutation and Record of Rights (RoR) information, depending on the state's system.
4/9
It isn't always called a “Survey Number”
The name changes when you cross state borders
Survey Number
Andhra Pradesh • Telangana • Karnataka • Tamil Nadu • Kerala • Goa
Survey / Gat Number
Maharashtra
Survey / Block Number
Gujarat
Khasra Number
Madhya Pradesh • Rajasthan • Chhattisgarh • Delhi • Uttarakhand
Gata / Khasra Number
Uttar Pradesh
Khesra / Plot Number
Bihar • Jharkhand
Dag / Plot Number
West Bengal • Assam
Plot Number
Odisha
Khasra / Khewat
Punjab • Haryana
The terminology varies, but the basic purpose is similar: identifying a parcel of land in official records.
Survey Number
Andhra Pradesh • Telangana • Karnataka • Tamil Nadu • Kerala • Goa
Survey / Gat Number
Maharashtra
Survey / Block Number
Gujarat
Khasra Number
Madhya Pradesh • Rajasthan • Chhattisgarh • Delhi • Uttarakhand
Gata / Khasra Number
Uttar Pradesh
Khesra / Plot Number
Bihar • Jharkhand
Dag / Plot Number
West Bengal • Assam
Plot Number
Odisha
Khasra / Khewat
Punjab • Haryana
The terminology varies, but the basic purpose is similar: identifying a parcel of land in official records.
5/9
Where will you need this number?
It can follow your property through several important transactions
You may need the relevant land identification number when:* Buying or selling property
*Checking title and land documents
*Finding the parcel on an official land map
*Applying for a property or land-related loan
*Preparing registration documents
*Checking mutation or ownership changes
*Dealing with boundary or property disputes
*Checking development or layout-related records
In short: whenever the government or another party needs to identify the exact parcel, this number can become important.
You may need the relevant land identification number when:* Buying or selling property
*Checking title and land documents
*Finding the parcel on an official land map
*Applying for a property or land-related loan
*Preparing registration documents
*Checking mutation or ownership changes
*Dealing with boundary or property disputes
*Checking development or layout-related records
In short: whenever the government or another party needs to identify the exact parcel, this number can become important.
6/9
Where can you check it?
Don't rely only on the seller's documents
Many states now provide land records online through their own government portals.
For example:
Telangana — Bhu Bharati
Andhra Pradesh — MeeBhoomi
Karnataka — Bhoomi
Maharashtra — Mahabhulekh
Uttar Pradesh — UP Bhulekh
Rajasthan — Apna Khata
Odisha — Bhulekh Odisha
Gujarat — AnyROR
Tamil Nadu — e-Services
The exact information available differs from one state to another.
Always use the official government portal when checking land records.
Many states now provide land records online through their own government portals.
For example:
Telangana — Bhu Bharati
Andhra Pradesh — MeeBhoomi
Karnataka — Bhoomi
Maharashtra — Mahabhulekh
Uttar Pradesh — UP Bhulekh
Rajasthan — Apna Khata
Odisha — Bhulekh Odisha
Gujarat — AnyROR
Tamil Nadu — e-Services
The exact information available differs from one state to another.
Always use the official government portal when checking land records.
7/9
But don't stop at the survey number
Finding the number is only the first step
A survey number appearing in an online land record doesn't automatically mean the property is free from every legal or financial issue.
Before buying, cross-check the:
Survey / parcel number
↓
Land record / RoR
↓
Cadastral map and boundaries
↓
Sale deed and previous title documents
↓
Registration records
↓
Encumbrance information
↓ Actual property on the ground
Also check for sub-divisions, mutations, land-use restrictions, acquisition issues and other applicable local records.
A survey number identifies the land. It is not, by itself, a complete title check.
A survey number appearing in an online land record doesn't automatically mean the property is free from every legal or financial issue.
Before buying, cross-check the:
Survey / parcel number
↓
Land record / RoR
↓
Cadastral map and boundaries
↓
Sale deed and previous title documents
↓
Registration records
↓
Encumbrance information
↓ Actual property on the ground
Also check for sub-divisions, mutations, land-use restrictions, acquisition issues and other applicable local records.
A survey number identifies the land. It is not, by itself, a complete title check.
8/9
The next step: A digital identity for land
India is moving beyond traditional survey numbers
The government is also implementing ULPIN — Unique Land Parcel Identification Number, often referred to as Bhu-Aadhaar.
ULPIN is designed as a 14-digit identification number linked to the geographic coordinates of a land parcel.
The broader objective is to connect land parcels with digital maps and land records, making property information easier to identify and manage.
India is also working on technology-driven urban land records using tools such as GIS, aerial imagery, drones and geospatial mapping.
The government is also implementing ULPIN — Unique Land Parcel Identification Number, often referred to as Bhu-Aadhaar.
ULPIN is designed as a 14-digit identification number linked to the geographic coordinates of a land parcel.
The broader objective is to connect land parcels with digital maps and land records, making property information easier to identify and manage.
India is also working on technology-driven urban land records using tools such as GIS, aerial imagery, drones and geospatial mapping.
9/9
The takeaway
Survey Number = identifies the parcel
Land Record = tells you how it is recorded
Map = shows where it is
Title documents = establish the ownership chain
Due diligence = helps you understand what you're actually buying
Land Record = tells you how it is recorded
Map = shows where it is
Title documents = establish the ownership chain
Due diligence = helps you understand what you're actually buying