Khatian & Records Guide

Educational

Explanation of CS, SA, RS, and BS survey records, what they are, why they matter, and how to obtain or verify them from the relevant government offices.

A khatian (record of rights) is the official document that records the ownership and particulars of a plot of land. Bangladesh has maintained several generations of survey records, and knowing which is which is essential when verifying title.

This guide explains the four main types of khatian, what each one tells you, and how they relate to one another during a title search.

The four principal survey records:

CS (Cadastral Survey), the earliest systematic survey, conducted during the British period.
SA (State Acquisition), prepared after the abolition of the zamindari system in the 1950s.
RS (Revisional Survey), a later corrective survey widely relied upon today.
BS / City Survey (BRS), the most recent survey, used in city and municipal areas.