Patta and Chitta explained
last updated 2026-07-21
Patta is a Tamil Nadu revenue record that establishes who owns a piece of land — the owner's name, patta number, survey and sub-division numbers, and extent. Chitta is a related extract showing the land's type (wet or dry) and area. Both can be viewed on the state's Revenue e-Services portal.
What each record is
| Record | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Patta | A revenue document establishing ownership of a land parcel — owner name, patta number, survey number with sub-divisions, and the extent of the land. |
| Chitta | An extract from the village revenue accounts giving ownership details and the land classification — whether it is nanjai (wet/irrigated) or punjai (dry). |
In Tamil Nadu these are now typically issued together, and are a first-line check that the person selling a piece of land is recorded as its owner.
How to get them
You can view and download Patta and Chitta from the Revenue Department's e-Services portal (eservices.tn.gov.in). You enter the district, taluk, village and survey/sub-division number, verify with an OTP, and the record is shown. The service is online and low-cost — see the sources below for the official portal.
What to watch for — especially at auction
- Land, not flats. Patta is a record of land. For a flat, the relevant land interest is the undivided share (UDS); an individual flat does not have its own patta the way a plot does.
- Name match. Check the patta name against the seller — or, at a bank auction, against the borrower whose property is being sold.
- One record among several. Patta shows ownership in the revenue records; it is not by itself proof of a clean chain of title. Pair it with the encumbrance certificate and the parent documents.
At a bank auction the notice may give only limited documents, so cross-checking patta and the encumbrance certificate where you can is part of sizing up a listing — the kind of check AuctionScope is built to help you run.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between patta and chitta?
Patta establishes ownership of the land — owner, survey number and extent. Chitta is an extract showing the land's classification and area, such as whether it is wet or dry land. In Tamil Nadu they are usually issued together.
How can I check patta online in Tamil Nadu?
Through the Revenue Department's e-Services portal at eservices.tn.gov.in — enter the district, taluk, village and survey number, verify with an OTP, and view the record. See the official link in the sources.
Does a flat have a patta?
Not in the way a plot does. Patta records land; a flat owner holds an undivided share (UDS) of the land under the building rather than a separate patta for the flat itself.
Related terms
Sources
Rates, fees and procedures change — confirm the current position on the official portals below before you act.