Independent guide. This is an information & calculator portal. We are not affiliated with the Government of Bihar. For official records use biharbhumi.bihar.gov.in and parimarjan.bihar.gov.in.

Bihar Land Law: Land Types, Rights & Dispute Guide

A plain-language guide to Bihar land law in Hindi and English — covering Bihar land types (रैयती जमीन, गैर मजरुआ, बखास्त जमीन), property rights for women and heirs, the main bare acts that govern land in Bihar, and how to handle land disputes. Useful for anyone buying or inheriting property in Bihar.

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Bihar land types — what to buy and what to avoid

1. Raiyati / रैयती जमीन ✅

Privately owned land. Can be freely sold, gifted or inherited. This is the safest type to buy. Always check that the Jamabandi clearly says "रैयती".

2. Gair Mazrua Aam / गैर मजरुआ आम ❌

Community government land — village paths, ponds, grazing grounds. Cannot be bought or sold. Any private deal on Gair Mazrua Aam is a criminal offence.

3. Gair Mazrua Khas / गैर मजरुआ खास ❌

Government's own land. Construction on it is illegal. Never buy; you will lose both the money and possession.

4. Bakasht / बखास्त जमीन ⚠️

Land that came to the state after the Bihar Land Reforms Act 1950 (zamindari abolition). Title is often disputed. Buy only after a thorough legal opinion — many bakasht जमीन sales are later cancelled.

Bihar property rights for women

The Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act 2005 gave daughters the same right to ancestral property as sons. Combined with Bihar's stamp duty rebate for women, this creates strong protection of Bihar property rights for women:

  • Equal share for daughters in the father's ancestral property.
  • Wife's right to a share in the husband's property after his death.
  • Stamp duty rebate — when a male seller sells to a woman, she pays 5.7% stamp duty + 1.9% registration instead of 6% + 2%.
  • Right to mutate property in her own name, independently.
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Bihar land disputes — where to go

  1. Family / panchayat: Try amicable settlement first — about 70% of land disputes are resolved here.
  2. Anchal Office (अंचल कार्यालय): First port of call for boundary issues, wrong mutation or Jamabandi corrections.
  3. DLRC (Deputy Collector Land Reforms): Appeal here if Anchal level fails.
  4. Lok Adalat / DLSA: Free, fast, and the order is binding. Apply at District Legal Services Authority.
  5. Civil Court: For Title Suits or Permanent Injunctions. Hire an experienced civil lawyer.

Important Bihar land laws (bare acts)

  • Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950 — abolished zamindari; transferred land to the state and gave permanent leases to raiyats.
  • Bihar Tenancy Act, 1885 — defines raiyat rights and the landlord–tenant relationship.
  • Hindu Succession Act, 1956 (2005 Amendment) — equal property rights for daughters in ancestral property.
  • Registration Act, 1908 — registration mandatory for all immovable property > ₹100.
  • Bihar Consolidation of Holdings & Prevention of Fragmentation Act, 1956 — land consolidation and survey rules.

For full text of any Bihar land law in Hindi or Bihar land law pdf, refer to the Bihar Revenue & Land Reforms Department: revenue.bihar.gov.in.

Emergency contacts (Bihar)

  • Police: 112 / 100 (for forced encroachment)
  • Bihar Vigilance: 1800-345-6188 (for bribe demands)
  • CM Helpline: 0612-2233333
  • National Lok Adalat / DLSA: contact your district legal services authority

Bihar land law — FAQs

Bihar land types include Raiyati (private, freely transferable), Gair Mazrua Aam (community land, cannot be sold), Gair Mazrua Khas (government land, cannot be sold), and Bakasht (post-zamindari abolition land, often disputed).

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