Patna: The Bihar government has rolled out a new land measurement policy that will allow citizens to apply online and get their land surveyed within fixed deadlines, a move aimed at reducing disputes and making revenue administration more transparent.
Announcing the initiative under the state’s Saat Nischay–3 programme, deputy chief minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said the reform was designed to deliver “ease of living” by eliminating long waits and repeated visits to government offices. From January 26 to March 31, 2026, the state will run a special statewide campaign, Mapi Maha Abhiyan, to clear pending applications and speed up land measurements.
Under the new rules, surveys of undisputed land must be completed within seven days of application. In disputed cases, the maximum time allowed will be 11 days. Survey officials, known as amins, will be required to upload their final reports on the portal by the 14th day. Previously, the entire process could take up to 30 days or more, often stretching into months.
The revenue and land reforms department has made the entire procedure digital. Applications will now be submitted online, and applicants must specify whether their land is disputed or undisputed at the time of filing. In disputed cases, the circle officer will assign an amin and fix a date for the survey within three days. All boundary holders will automatically receive notices and updates through SMS, reducing scope for manipulation and delays.
The government has also standardized fees. In rural areas, the charge will be Rs. 500 per plot (khesra), while in urban areas it will be Rs. 1,000 per plot. For urgent surveys, the fee will be doubled. Officials said this would bring clarity and prevent overcharging.
The Mapi Maha Abhiyan aims to dispose of all land measurement applications that were pending up to December 31, 2025. To ensure the campaign’s success, additional survey officials may be deployed, and district magistrates will act as the supervising authorities.
Survey reports will now have to be submitted in a fixed, scientific format prescribed by the department. Each report must include full details of the applicant and land, a checklist, a sketch map, witness statements and the amin’s signed observations. Officials said this would improve the quality and legal reliability of records.
The government believes the new policy will not only accelerate land surveys but also help curb long-running land disputes, which remain one of the most common sources of conflict in Bihar. By digitizing the process and fixing strict timelines, it hopes to restore public confidence in the revenue administration system.
