What do all these words mean?

The standard unit of farmland area in India. 1 acre = 4,047 sq metres = 0.405 hectares ≈ 4,840 sq yards. Karnataka also uses gunthas (40 gunthas = 1 acre) and Kerala uses cents (100 cents = 1 acre).

The legal doctrine by which someone who has openly, continuously and adversely occupied a piece of land for 12 years (in India) can claim ownership. The biggest reason to walk your boundary before buying — neighbours quietly farming a corner of your land for 12 years could legally take it.

Land classified for agricultural use under state revenue records. In Karnataka, this includes kharab (uncultivable) and cultivable sub-categories. Conversion to non-agricultural needs separate state permission (Form 28-K in Karnataka).

An international certificate authenticating documents (like a Power of Attorney drafted abroad). Required for any document signed outside India to be admissible at an Indian sub-registrar's office. Issued by the Foreign Office of the signing country.

Land suitable for growing crops. Distinct from "cultivable" (a legal category in Indian revenue records) — a piece of land can be legally cultivable but practically un-arable due to soil, slope or water issues.

Karnataka's online land records portal. Provides RTC, mutation status, and crop information for every survey number. Always cross-check a Karnataka listing's claims against Bhoomi.

An on-ground walk of the property perimeter, comparing physical landmarks to the deed's Tippan. TrueAcre's field agents do this with sub-1m GPS accuracy on every listing.

A drilled vertical well that taps groundwater — the most common water source on farmland today. A registered borewell with a current pump set adds ₹ 50K–2L per acre depending on yield. Always verify the borewell works in summer, not just the monsoon.

Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike — the urban local body for Bengaluru. Land within BBMP limits is "urban" and follows different rules for stamp duty, mutation (called "Khata transfer"), and conversion.

A contractual right for the seller to repurchase the property within a defined period at a defined price. Rare but used in distress sales. We discourage these on TrueAcre as they cloud title.

A Kerala unit of land area. 1 cent = 1/100 acre ≈ 40.5 sq metres. Used colloquially across South India for small plots; standard in Kerala and parts of Tamil Nadu.

The minimum value at which property must be registered, set by the state government. Called "Guidance Value" in Karnataka, "Ready Reckoner" in Maharashtra. Stamp duty is calculated on the higher of circle rate or actual sale price.

The registered document that transfers ownership from seller to buyer. Synonymous with "sale deed" in common usage. It is the single most important document you will own after the transaction completes.

Land actively used for seasonal crops (paddy, cotton, sugarcane). Distinct from plantation (long-cycle perennials like coffee, tea, rubber). Cropland generally commands lower per-acre prices than plantation.

A state-issued document listing every registered transaction (sale, mortgage, lien, court order) on a property over a specified period. Always demand at least a 15-year EC. A clean EC confirms there are no third-party claims on the title.

A third-party-held account that releases funds only when both parties' conditions are met. TrueAcre uses an ICICI Trust & Retention Account (TRA) — funds you deposit are legally held and can't be withdrawn by us, the seller or you unilaterally.

Aadhaar-based digital signature, legally equivalent to a handwritten signature under the IT Act 2000. Saves 2-3 weeks of courier time, especially for NRI buyers.

A unit of land area common in Karnataka, Maharashtra and Goa. 1 guntha = 1,089 sq feet ≈ 101 sq metres. 40 gunthas make an acre. You will see fractional listings like "4 acres 22 gunthas" — that is 4.55 acres.

Karnataka's term for the state-fixed minimum sale value (see circle rate). Updated typically every 2-3 years. Stamp duty is computed on the higher of guidance value or actual price.

A registered document transferring property without consideration. Common in family transfers. Bears nominal stamp duty (₹ 5,000 in Karnataka for blood relatives). A property received as a gift is taxable to the recipient unless from specified relatives.

The metric unit of land area. 1 hectare = 10,000 sq metres = 2.471 acres. Used in official records but not in everyday Indian conversation.

A municipal property tax record (urban) — confirms a property is on the tax rolls. "A khata" properties are fully approved and can be sold/financed normally; "B khata" properties are recognised for tax but lack full approvals (avoid for first-time buyers).

The North-Indian equivalent of Karnataka's RTC — a ledger of land ownership and crops by farmer. The exact format and name varies state-to-state (Khasra in MP, ROR in West Bengal).

The Karnataka revenue classification for uncultivable land within a survey number — typically rocky, marshy, or ravine portions. Listed separately on the RTC. Usually has lower price-per-acre.

Know Your Customer. The identity-verification process required before any property transaction. TrueAcre uses 6-step KYC (Aadhaar, PAN, selfie, address, income, bank).

The state process to re-classify agricultural land for non-agricultural use (commercial, residential, industrial). In Karnataka, governed by Form 28-K. Typically takes 30-60 days. Not required if you intend to keep the land in agricultural use.

The percentage of property value a bank will lend you. Farmland LTVs are 45-55% (vs 75-85% for residential), reflecting both regulatory limits and liquidity risk.

The process of updating government revenue records to reflect a change in ownership. In Karnataka, mutation auto-completes within 21 days of sub-registrar registration. Always confirm mutation has reflected on Bhoomi within 30 days post-sale.

The original deed at the start of the property's title chain — often the 1974 Inams Abolition Act consolidation in Karnataka, or an even older grant. Trace your chain back to it for a fully clean title.

Synonymous with RTC in Karnataka — the official Record of Rights, Tenancy and Crops for a survey number. The single most important document for any Karnataka agricultural transaction.

A legal authorisation letting one person act on another's behalf. Common for NRIs who can't be physically present. Must be notarised in India and apostilled if signed abroad.

Land planted with long-cycle perennial crops — coffee, tea, rubber, cardamom, areca. Per RBI rules, NRIs/OCIs can buy plantation properties freely; pure agricultural land requires specific approval.

The Tamil Nadu equivalent of Karnataka's RTC — a state-issued land ownership document. Pull a fresh one within 30 days before any TN transaction.

The cornerstone Karnataka land document. Lists owner(s), area, classification (cultivable / kharab), crops grown, and recent transactions. Available digitally via Bhoomi. Insist on one less than 30 days old before any transaction.

The central bank that regulates NRI/foreign-national land transactions under FEMA. The regulator that matters for any cross-border money flow into Indian farmland.

The state-government process of legally recording a property transfer at the sub-registrar's office. Without registration, the sale deed is not enforceable. Both parties + 2 witnesses must be present (or via valid PoA).

The final registered document transferring ownership. Synonymous with conveyance deed. Drafted by buyer's lawyer, signed by both parties at the sub-registrar's office, stamped, and registered. Original goes to the buyer.

A state tax payable at registration. Karnataka: 5% + 1% cess + 0.5% surcharge ≈ 6.5%. Tamil Nadu: 7% + 4% reg fee = 11%. Rates vary by state.

The unique identifier for a parcel of land in state revenue records — e.g. "123/4". Sub-divisions show as fractions: 123/4-A, 123/4-B. All ownership documents tie back to this number.

The state-appointed officer who registers sale deeds in a defined territory. Karnataka has 250+ sub-registrar offices. Registration must happen at the SR office of the property's location, not the parties'.

The sketch map of a survey number, drawn by the Karnataka Survey Department, showing precise boundaries and measurements. Compare it physically to the on-ground boundary during the site visit.

The legal right of ownership over a property. A "clean title" means there are no liens, claims, or contestants. "Marketable title" means it can be transferred without legal impediment.

Tax Deducted at Source. On property purchases above ₹ 50 lakh, the buyer deducts 1% TDS and deposits it via Form 26QB. The seller adjusts this against their capital gains tax.

Unique Identification Authority of India — issues Aadhaar. Their eKYC API is what TrueAcre uses for instant Aadhaar OTP verification.

The legal right to access water — borewell, well, stream, canal. Borewell rights need separate registration with the state groundwater authority. Surface water generally flows with the title but interpret cautiously for stream-fed land.