Odisha Govt to end British-era land classification system

Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari hinted on a major overhaul of the State’s outdated land classification system on Tuesday. The current 7,000 land types/categories will be reduced to just 27. Land ownership categories will also be streamlined to improve clarity and administrative efficiency.

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According to sources, in a landmark move to simplify the land administration system, the Odisha government has plans to reduce its land categories from more than 7,000 to around 27. The changes are part of a plan to modernise and replace the British-Era land laws that have long governed land classification and ownership in the State.

Land types and ownership categories to be revised

The Minister also revealed that the current system recognises around 3,000 types of land ownership, many of which are either outdated or have become unnecessary. This number will be brought down significantly—into double digits—to resolve ongoing disputes between the public and revenue officials caused by overlapping and confusing classifications.

As part of the significant reform, both land types (Kisam) and ownership categories (Sattwa) will undergo revision. Discussions are underway with experts and representatives of political parties to finalise the changes.

Minister Pujari added that the Revenue Department is also preparing to repeal several irrelevant laws that no longer serve a functional purpose in land governance, streamlining the legal framework for land records and transactions.

“Same nature of lands need not have different names. We are trying to identify probable land types. Accordingly, we will convert around 7,000 land types to a minimal number of 27. The draft regulations have already taken a final shape,” the Minister expressed.