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Predicted Questions with Model Answers
Q1 (5 marks — 50 words): What is the Record of Rights under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956? Name its components.
Model Answer:
The Record of Rights (ROR/Jamabandi) under Sections 101–115 is the primary official document establishing land ownership and tenancy in Rajasthan villages. It comprises five components: (1) Jamabandi — master register updated every five years; (2) Khasra — survey-wise seasonal crop register; (3) Khatuni — cultivator-wise consolidated account; (4) Mutation Register — records all tenure changes; (5) Field Map (Naksha) — cadastral boundary map. Entries create a rebuttable presumption of title.
Q2 (5 marks — 50 words): What is Nazul land? How is it different from Khalsa and Shamilat land?
Model Answer:
Nazul land is government-owned land within urban/municipal limits (Section 22), vested in the State, administered by Revenue Department/Nazul Officer; lessees hold leasehold — not ownership. Khalsa is rural government-owned land under direct State management. Shamilat is rural village common land (grazing, irrigation channels) managed collectively by the village panchayat. Nazul is urban; Khalsa is rural-state; Shamilat is rural-community — all three prohibit private ownership claims.
Q3 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain the role and powers of the Board of Revenue under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956.
Model Answer:
The Board of Revenue, Rajasthan (Section 7, headquartered at Ajmer) is the apex revenue authority with: (1) Appellate jurisdiction over all revenue court orders from Divisional Commissioner downwards; (2) Revisional jurisdiction — can suo motu review any revenue order; (3) Supervisory control over all revenue courts; (4) Rule-making powers under the Act. Its orders have the force of High Court decrees in revenue matters; challenged via writ petition to the Rajasthan High Court.
Q4 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain the mutation procedure under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956.
Model Answer:
Mutation (Namantran) under Sections 116–136 updates land records when tenure changes (sale, death, gift, partition, court decree). Process: (1) Application to Patwari by interested party; (2) Public notice with 15 days for objections; (3) If no objection — Patwari recommends approval; (4) If disputed — Tehsildar adjudicates after hearing both parties; (5) Approved mutation recorded in Mutation Register; (6) Jamabandi updated accordingly. Rajasthan's e-Mutation system now enables online applications, reducing processing time from 90 to 30 days.
Q5 (5 marks — 50 words): What are the special provisions for Scheduled Tribe land under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956?
Model Answer:
Sections 137–152 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956 protect Scheduled Tribe land: Section 138 prohibits transfer of ST land to non-ST persons without Collector's prior permission. Section 139 empowers the Collector to restore illegally transferred tribal land to the original ST holder. Section 152 extends the limitation period for challenging illegal transfers. These provisions protect tribal communities in Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh from land alienation and align with constitutional protections under Articles 244 and 46.
Q6 (5 marks — 50 words): Explain the significance of land revenue assessment and recovery under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act 1956.
Model Answer:
Land revenue assessment (Sections 48–85) classifies agricultural land into Abi (irrigated), Chahi (well-irrigated), Barani (rain-fed), and Banjar (fallow), with revenue fixed accordingly through Settlement operations every 30–40 years. Recovery of arrears (Sections 153–200) treats land revenue as public dues, enabling attachment of property, auction, and — as last resort — debtor detention. Currently most Rajasthan small farmers pay zero revenue due to legislative exemptions; but the framework remains critical for ensuring State fiscal sovereignty over land.