How to Pay Land Rent (Lagan) in Bihar Online and Why the Receipt Matters

Owners of land in Bihar pay a yearly land revenue called lagan (also written lagaan, bhu-lagaan or land rent) to the state. It is not a large amount for most plots, but the receipt for that payment is a very useful document. It is proof that you are the recognised landholder who pays the revenue, and it is asked for in many land-related tasks.

In short: If your name is in the land records, you can generally pay lagan online through the state's land revenue portal by choosing your district, circle, mauza and khata, then download the receipt and keep it safe. If your name is not in the records, do dakhil-kharij first.

What lagan is

Lagan is the land revenue that a landholder pays to the government. It is based on the area and type of land, and the records show the amount due, any arrears and the payments made. It is separate from:

Property or holding tax that municipal bodies charge in towns on buildings, and
Stamp duty and registration fees, paid when land is bought. See stamp duty explained.

Why the lagan receipt matters

Proof of possession and payment. It shows that you are recorded as the one paying revenue for that land.
Mutation. The Circle Office often asks for the latest receipt in dakhil-kharij cases. See dakhil-kharij in Bihar.
Loans. Banks check land records and ask for recent receipts when lending against land. See home loan documents and the approval process and construction loan vs home loan.
Selling and buying. A buyer, lawyer or bank checking the title will ask whether the revenue has been paid. Unpaid arrears can raise doubts. Use the checklist in documents to check before buying property.
Building plan approval. Many authorities ask for the latest revenue receipt with the plan application. See building plan approval.
Government benefits and compensation. Schemes for farmers, crop assistance and land acquisition compensation often ask for the receipt or for the land record behind it.
Disputes. A series of receipts over the years is good evidence of continued possession.

A receipt does not prove ownership by itself, and it does not replace the title deed. But it is a strong supporting document.

What you need before you pay

Your district, circle (anchal), mauza (revenue village) and khata number. These are on your jamabandi, on an old receipt or in the sale deed.
Possibly the khesra (plot) number and the name of the recorded owner, depending on how the portal asks.
A mobile number and a payment method, such as net banking, UPI or a card, as the portal allows.

If you do not know these details, look up your land first. See how to check Bihar land records online.

Steps to pay online

The portals and screens change from time to time, so use this as an outline and follow the prompts on the official site.

Open the official Bihar land revenue payment service. The Government of India's services directory lists the "Online Bhu Lagaan Payment" service of the Department of Revenue and Land Reforms, Bihar. Make sure you are on an official government website. Look for a "gov.in" address, and do not enter payment details on a site you reached through an advertisement or a message.
Select the service for paying land rent, and choose your district, circle and mauza.
Search for your land using the khata number or the details the portal asks for. The portal should show the land details and the amount due, including any arrears.
Check that the name and the land details are yours. If the name is wrong or missing, stop and see the section below.
Choose the year(s) and confirm the amount.
Pay online with the options the portal gives.
Download the receipt as soon as the payment is confirmed. Save it as a PDF and note the transaction reference.
Print a copy and keep both the digital and paper copies.

Third-party guides say the portal may show only digitised data, so older payments could be missing. If your history looks empty for the earlier years, do not assume that nothing was paid. Ask the Circle Office for older receipts or records.

What if my name is not in the records?

If you bought the land recently, apply for dakhil-kharij so that the records show you. See dakhil-kharij in Bihar. Until it is done, the portal may only allow the recorded owner to pay, or may show the old owner's name.
If you inherited the land, apply for mutation as a legal heir.
If there is a mistake in the records, such as a wrong name, area or khata number, ask the Circle Office for a correction. Keep your documents ready.

Do not pay on someone else's record and assume it gives you rights. A receipt in another person's name does not help you.

Tips to protect yourself

Pay every year, and do not let arrears build up.
Keep every receipt in one folder with your deed, mutation order and jamabandi.
Check the receipt details for the name, khata, khesra, area and year before you save it.
Back up the PDFs to cloud storage and a pen drive.
Beware of fake sites and agents. Pay only through the official portal or the Circle Office and get a proper receipt. There should be no unofficial payment.
Never share OTPs or card details with any helper.
Check the record again a few weeks after paying to see if the payment shows.

For buyers and lenders: how to use the receipt

If you are thinking of buying land:

Ask the seller for the last few years' receipts and the jamabandi.
Check that the receipts match the name and details in the records and the title deed.
Look for arrears and ask the seller to clear them.
Do not rely on receipts alone. Get the encumbrance certificate and a lawyer's title check.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay lagan for land I do not own?

The portal usually lets you search by khata, but you should pay only for land that is recorded in your name. A payment for someone else's land does not make you the owner.

What if I have not paid for many years?

Check the arrears on the portal or with the Circle Office. You may need to pay the dues, and in some cases an interest or penalty may apply under the rules. Ask the office.

Is the online receipt valid?

The digitally generated receipt from the official portal is accepted in many places. A third-party guide says it can be used for registration and official use, but offices differ, so ask the office that needs it.

Is lagan the same as property tax?

No. Lagan is the revenue on the land. Municipal property tax is a separate charge on buildings and holdings in urban areas.

Portals, procedures and amounts change. This guide is general information, not legal advice. Confirm the current steps on the official site or with the Circle Office.