Tehsildar

Tehsildar is a senior revenue administrative officer responsible for governing a tehsil, also known as a sub-district or taluka, in the Indian subcontinent and nearby regions. The post is used in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, with local variations in title and duties.

In India, a tehsil is the revenue and administrative subdivision of a district. The tehsildar heads the tehsil and is part of the state revenue department. The officer typically reports to the district collector or deputy commissioner and may be a Class II Gazetted officer in many states. The tehsildar is supported by subordinate staff, including patwaris (land-record clerks) and kanungos, and works with other line departments on land, agriculture, and revenue matters.

Key responsibilities include the maintenance of land records and mutations, assessment and collection of land revenue, and enforcement of revenue laws. The tehsildar issues various certificates related to residence, income, and tenancy, and presides over revenue courts or settlements as required. In some states, the tehsildar also exercises executive-magistrate powers for local governance, law and order, and disaster management within the tehsil.

Appointment and career path vary by state. Tehsildars are appointed by state governments from cadres of state civil services or allied revenue services. Career progression often starts from lower revenue posts such as Naib Tehsildar or revenue inspector and advances through promotions within the revenue administration.

Administrative roles similar to the tehsildar exist in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal, where the officer at the sub-district level handles revenue administration, land records, and local governance duties.