talati

Talati, also spelled talathi in some regions, is a village-level administrative post in parts of India, most notably in Maharashtra and Gujarat. The talati functions as a revenue clerk for a village or a cluster of villages and serves as the primary liaison between residents and the state revenue department. The position is part of the rural administration framework and operates under the supervision of higher revenue officers such as the tehsildar or taluka revenue officer.

Duties and functions commonly associated with the talati include maintaining village land records, recording changes of ownership or possession, processing mutations and transfers, and issuing revenue-related certificates or extracts. The talati also assists in preparing census data and agricultural statistics, maintaining village maps, and supporting local administration and development activities. In many areas, the talati may also act as the secretary to the gram panchayat, coordinating administrative work and interaction with residents at the village level.

Appointment and training generally come through state government recruitment and civil service processes. Requirements typically include proficiency in the local language, basic accounting or record-keeping skills, and completion of prescribed training programs, with responsibilities periodically reviewed by higher revenue authorities.

Modernization and digitization have transformed some aspects of the role. Computerized land records and online services have reduced manual paperwork in many states, while the talati remains the key interface for villagers seeking records, certifications, or guidance on land-related matters.

Beyond administration, “talati” is also a surname used by people in parts of India and the diaspora. See also: patwari, lekhpal, tahsildar, gram panchayat.