Kisam in Odisha Land Records: Land Types Explained

Where to find Kisam on your Khatiyan

1. Open your record on Bhulekh by khata, plot or name (see how to view the RoR).
2. The Front Page shows the tenant and dues. Move to the RoR Back Page, which lists all plots.
3. In the plot table, find the column headed କିସମ... ଓ ଚୌହଦି (kisam and boundaries). The kisam is written in Odia beside each plot number.
4. Read the area (ରକବା) in acre, decimal and hectare in the next columns, and any remarks (ମନ୍ତବ୍ୟ).
5. On the Front Page, note the Swatwa (ସ୍ଵତ୍ଵ), the nature of the holder's right, for example ସ୍ଥିତିବାନ (Sthitiban).

One Khatiyan can contain plots of different kisams. Check each plot, not only the first line. For other Odia words on the record, see the Odia land record glossary and Khatiyan and Khata explained. If Odia letters do not display, use the portal's "Odia" toggle or "Download Odia Font" button.

Why so many kisam names exist

According to news reports (OrissaPOST, November 2020), the Revenue & Disaster Management Department and the Board of Revenue found 7,797 kisams in the state's RoRs, of which 6,338 were for abadi land, and 750 swatwas. They proposed cutting these to 12 major kisams and 5 swatwas.

So your record may use an older, very specific term that does not appear in any short list. That is normal. If you cannot match it, ask the Revenue Inspector or Tahasil office what class it falls under today.

The 12 major kisams proposed in 2020

According to news reports (OrissaPOST, 8 November 2020), these were the 12 proposed major classes. The English meanings are plain-language explanations, not official definitions.

The 2025 "22 kisams" list: not confirmed officially

Several websites, including a law-firm blog, say that Resolution No. 22530/R&DM dated 21 June 2025 set 22 kisams and 4 swatwas. The kisams they list include Jalasechita Do-fasali (ଜଳସେଚିତ ଦୋଫସଲି, irrigated double crop), Jalasechita Eka-fasali, Anajalasechita (unirrigated), Bagayat, Jalasaya, Gharabari, Byabasaika, Khani Khadan, Anusthanika, Jungle, Unnayana Jogya (developable), Nala, Nayanajori, Gochar (ଗୋଚର, grazing), Nadi, Rasta (ରାସ୍ତା, road), Rail Line, Smasana, Kabar Sthan, Samudra, Patita (ପତିତ, fallow) and Pahada (hill). The swatwas they list are Rayati/Sthitiban, Pattadar, Dharmanusthan and Amrutamanohi.

This is commonly reported online; confirm at the Tahasil office or on the official portal. We could not find the resolution itself on an official page. The Revenue Department's site does show a related letter dated 19 June 2025 on "Rectification of Swatwa in RoR of leasehold government land", but that is not the 22-kisam resolution.

Government and common land: extra caution

Some plots are recorded in government khatas rather than private ones. A policy research source (CPR India) groups them like this; treat it as background, not an official list:

• Rakhita (reserved): for example Gramkanth, Abadi, Nazul.
• Sarbasadharana (communal): Danda or road, Gochar, Smasana, Hata-Pada.
• Abada Ajogya Anabadi (unculturable waste): tanks, Nala, Nayanjori.
• Abad Jogya Anabadi (culturable waste): Patita, Char, Diara.

If anyone offers to sell you a plot whose RoR shows a road, grazing, cremation or water-body class, or a government khata, stop and check with the Tahasil office before paying anything.

Changing the kisam of your land

To use agricultural land for a house, shop or factory, the official route is conversion under Section 8(A) of the OLR Act. The service "Apply for Conversion of Agricultural Land U/s 8(A) of OLR Act" is listed on Odisha Revenue Services. Official fees: application Rs 10, user fee Rs 80, demarcation Rs 20 per plot, speed post for RoR Rs 40, plus a notice or proclamation fee of Rs 20.

Track the application on the same portal; see application and case status, which works the same way for conversion. More on Tahasil services: Tahasil portal Odisha.

Kisam also feeds into valuation: the IGR benchmark form asks for it. See Odisha land valuation.