Form 6 for Land Conversion in Kerala (Tharam Mattam) — How to Apply, Status Check, Documents & Fees (2026)
Complete guide to Form 6 for land conversion in Kerala — how to apply, required documents, how to check your tharam mattam application status on revenue.kerala.gov.in, conversion fees, processing timeline, and common reasons for rejection.
Form 6 is the application for permission to convert paddy land or wetland up to 20.23 ares (50 cents) to non-agricultural use under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 — the “tharam mattam” (തരം മാറ്റം) most owners need before building. It is filed online through the Revenue eServices portal or an Akshaya centre and decided by the Revenue Divisional Officer, usually in 45–120 days. Since 2025, plots up to 25 cents that are not in the Data Bank can use a sworn affidavit instead of a field inspection. You can track the application on revenue.kerala.gov.in without logging in.
Form 6 is the most commonly used application for land conversion in Kerala. If you own paddy land or wetland up to 20.23 Ares (approximately 50 cents) and want to convert it for residential, commercial, or industrial use, Form 6 under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 is your application.
What is Form 6 for Land Conversion in Kerala?
Form 6 is the official application prescribed under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 for requesting permission to change the use of paddy land or wetland to non-agricultural purposes. It applies specifically to land parcels up to 20.23 Ares (50 cents). For larger parcels, you must use Form 7 instead. The application is submitted to the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) through the Kerala e-District portal or directly at the Taluk Office.
Form 6 Under the Paddy and Wetland Act
The Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 prohibits the conversion or reclamation of paddy land and wetland without prior permission from the competent authority. Form 6 is the legal mechanism through which landowners seek this permission for smaller parcels. The Act was enacted to protect Kerala's paddy lands and wetlands from indiscriminate conversion while allowing legitimate development through a regulated process.
Prerequisites Before Filing Form 6
Before filing Form 6, verify two things: First, check if your land is listed in the Revenue Department's Data Bank. If it is, you must first obtain Data Bank removal through Form 5 before filing Form 6. Second, confirm that your land extent is 20.23 Ares (50 cents) or less. If it exceeds this, you need Form 7 instead.
Documents Required for Form 6
The complete list of documents required for Form 6 includes: original sale deed or title document; previous ownership documents showing the chain of title (minimum 30 years); current property tax payment receipts; survey records and location sketch from the Village Office; thandaper extract showing current land classification; building plan approved by the local body (Panchayat or Municipality), if applicable; identity proof of the applicant (Aadhaar, passport); possession certificate; and if applying through a representative, a notarized Power of Attorney. Incomplete documentation is the single most common reason for application delays.
Free download · PDFForm 6 (tharam mattam) documents checklist — one page, printableEvery enclosure above as a tick-list, plus the status-check steps, timeline and fee slabs. Take it to the Village Office or the Akshaya centre.Step-by-Step Form 6 Application Process
Step 1: Gather all required documents. Step 2: Register on the Kerala Revenue eServices portal (revenue.kerala.gov.in — Citizen Login, by mobile number and OTP) or go to your nearest Akshaya Centre, which can file it for you. Step 3: Fill in the Form 6 application with complete property details — survey number, village, taluk, extent, current classification, and proposed use. Step 4: Upload or attach all supporting documents. Step 5: Pay the application fee. Step 6: Receive an acknowledgement receipt with your application number. Step 7: The Village Officer and Agricultural Officer conduct a joint site inspection. Step 8: Reports are submitted to the RDO. Step 9: The RDO reviews all evidence and issues a final order granting or refusing the conversion.
How to Check Form 6 Land Conversion Status in Kerala
To check the status of your Form 6 (tharam mattam) application: Method 1 — Open revenue.kerala.gov.in, click "Application Status" in the top menu, choose the service "Tharam Mattam", enter your application number (format 1/2022/1134, from the acknowledgement receipt) and press Get — no login is required; our step-by-step status check guide shows each screen and explains what every stage means. Method 2 — Visit the Akshaya Centre where you submitted the application and request a status update. Method 3 — Contact the Revenue Divisional Officer's (RDO) office in your Taluk directly with your application reference number. Method 4 — If you have engaged J Group Consultancy, we provide regular status updates and proactive follow-up on all applications we manage.
Form 6 Processing Timeline
The typical processing time for Form 6 is 45 to 120 days from the date of submission. Key milestones include: application submission and acknowledgement (Day 1); site inspection scheduling (15-30 days); Village Officer and Agricultural Officer reports (30-60 days); RDO review and final order (45-120 days). Delays commonly occur due to incomplete documentation, pending site visits, objections from adjacent property owners, or seasonal backlogs during monsoon period when site visits are difficult.
Common Reasons for Form 6 Rejection
Form 6 applications are rejected for several reasons: the land is still in the Data Bank (Form 5 not completed); incomplete or inconsistent documentation; the land extent exceeds 20.23 Ares (should have filed Form 7); the site inspection reveals the land is ecologically sensitive; objections from neighboring landowners that are upheld; or the proposed use conflicts with local planning regulations. Understanding these pitfalls in advance is why professional advisory from firms with decades of land conversion experience makes a significant difference.
Before you apply, two numbers decide most of the file. The first is whether the land is in the Data Bank, which you can check at /guides/data-bank-kerala-paddy-wetland — if it is, Form 5 comes first. The second is the notified fair value of your village, since the Section 27A conversion fee is calculated from it; /guides/fair-value-of-land-kerala explains how to look yours up, and /tools/land-conversion-fee-calculator turns it into an estimate. Extents on the portal are entered in ares rather than cents, and /tools/cent-to-ares converts them.
Frequently asked questions
What is Form 6 for land conversion (tharam mattam) in Kerala?
Form 6 is the prescribed application under the Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act, 2008 for permission to change the nature of paddy land or wetland up to 20.23 ares (50 cents) for residential, commercial or industrial use. It is decided by the Revenue Divisional Officer after reports from the Village Officer and Agricultural Officer and the Local Level Monitoring Committee.
How do I check my Form 6 application status?
Check a Form 6 / Form 7 status on revenue.kerala.gov.in → Application Status → service "Tharam Mattam" → application number (format 1/2022/1134) → Get; no login is needed. See our step-by-step status check guide at /services/real-estate/land-conversion/status-check.
What documents are required for Form 6?
Title deed, previous ownership documents, current land-tax receipt, possession certificate, location sketch and survey plan from the Village Office or a licensed surveyor, thandaper extract, a Data Bank statement showing the land is not listed, and the building plan or proposed use. Plots up to 25 cents that are not in the Data Bank can file a sworn affidavit (sathyavangmoolam) under the 2025 procedure.
How long does Form 6 land conversion take in Kerala?
Typically 45–120 days from submission in cases we handle. Delays come from pending field reports, objections from neighbours, and incomplete documents; the 2025 affidavit route has shortened many small-plot cases.
What is the Form 6 conversion fee?
The conversion fee under Section 27A is nil for land up to 25 cents, 10% of the fair value above 25 cents up to 1 acre, and 20% of the fair value above 1 acre — and once the plot exceeds 25 cents the fee is on the whole extent, not just the excess (Supreme Court, February 2025). It is paid after the order is issued; estimate it at /tools/land-conversion-fee-calculator. Application and certified-copy charges are small and shown on the portal.
Is a field inspection still required for Form 6?
For plots up to 25 cents that are not in the Data Bank, the Revenue Department moved to an affidavit-based process in 2025 and the mandatory field inspection is waived in most cases; a false affidavit cancels the conversion. Larger plots and Data Bank land still go through site verification.
Can I download the Form 6 PDF?
The form is filled in online through Revenue eServices (Citizen Login) or by an Akshaya centre, so the PDF is rarely needed. The Village Office or Taluk Office can provide the printed format, and J Group shares the current version and enclosure checklist with clients on request.
With over three decades of experience in strategic advisory and risk management in Kerala, J Group Consultancy provides insights drawn from real cases and institutional knowledge.
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