The Directorate of Survey and Land Records has issued a Standard Operating Procedure for patta transfer and subdivision mutation in the Union Territory, bringing all subdivision processing at the Taluk level from June 1, 2026.

The SOP ends the practice of forwarding subdivision files to the Directorate for re-checking and sets a 60-day time limit for disposal of petitions.

“This measure has been institutionalised to ensure absolute transparency, systematic record-keeping, and the complete elimination of administrative delays for the general public”, Director of Survey and Land Records C. Sendhil Kumar said.

He added, “The legacy practice of forwarding subdivision files from the Tahsildar and Deputy Tahsildar Offices to this Directorate for re-verification will be completely stopped. Henceforth, all land subdivision mutations will be comprehensively processed, physically measured on-site, technically scrutinised, verified against the Nilamagal database, and finalised directly at the respective Tahsildar or Deputy Tahsildar office level alone. Further, the Tahsildar Office shall provide a written intimation to the applicants confirming the successful completion of the patta mutation.”

Under the new SOP, applicants must submit registered link documents with their petition, after which the case will be verified by the Village Administrative Officer or Revenue Inspector before technical survey work begins. 

The specified officer will then approve the file for measurement, boundary demarcation, and preparation of the Field Measurement Book and subdivision land record statement.

The order also mandates separate village-wise registers for patta transfer and claims and objections, with immediate entry of any objection or court notice received during the process. The SOP also fixes a maximum 60-day disposal period for subdivision mutation petitions.

Survey staff must maintain petition registers, while monthly reconciliation and periodic inspections have been made compulsory to track pending and disposed cases.

Technical scrutiny will be done through Nilamagal software before the final patta is issued. The Taluk office will then forward the full set of records, including the application, summons, Field Measurement Book and Area Alteration Memorandum, to the Director of Survey for master record incorporation.

Official sources said the new order is significant because it shifts the core responsibility for subdivision mutation from the Directorate to the Taluk offices, while also tightening deadlines, record-keeping, and audit controls. 

The move is intended to improve transparency, reduce delays, and streamline land record changes across Puducherry.