Patwari vs BDO — Salary, Eligibility, Power & Difference (India 2025)
Many aspirants preparing for state government jobs often ask — Who is better, Patwari or BDO? What’s the Patwari vs BDO salary, eligibility, duties, and career growth? This article covers everything in detail — from Patwari salary slip and eligibility criteria to BDO promotion and powers
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Who is Patwari?
Patwari (also known as Lekhpal or Village Accountant in some states) is the lowest-level revenue officer in the tehsil or block. A Patwari maintains land records, collects land revenue, and assists the Tehsildar in administrative work.
- Patwari is also known as: Lekhpal, Talathi, Village Accountant, Kanungo (superior).
- Department: Revenue Department under the District Collector.
- Supervises: A cluster of villages under a Tehsil.
Who is BDO?
Block Development Officer (BDO) is a senior administrative officer who heads the development and planning of a block — a group of several panchayats. The BDO implements government schemes, supervises village officers (including Patwaris indirectly), and reports to the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) / District Collector.
- Department: Rural Development & Panchayati Raj.
- Rank: Gazetted Officer (Group-B or equivalent to Deputy Tehsildar).
- Supervises: Panchayat Secretaries, Engineers, Village Officers.
Patwari vs BDO — Key Differences (2025)
| Criteria | Patwari | BDO (Block Development Officer) |
|---|---|---|
| Post Type | Non-gazetted, clerical-level revenue post | Gazetted administrative officer |
| Department | Revenue Department | Rural Development Department |
| Qualification Required | 10+2 or Graduate (depending on state) | Graduate, usually selected via State PSC exam |
| Selection Authority | State Subordinate Services / Revenue Board | State Public Service Commission (PSC) |
| Starting Salary (2025) | ₹25,000 – ₹35,000 / month (approx.) | ₹55,000 – ₹75,000 / month (approx.) |
| Promotion Hierarchy | Patwari → Kanungo → Naib Tehsildar → Tehsildar | BDO → Deputy CEO (ZP) → CEO (ZP) → Director RD |
| Reporting Officer | Tehsildar / Naib Tehsildar | SDO / District Collector |
| Nature of Work | Land record maintenance, revenue collection | Rural development, scheme implementation |
| Rank Level | Entry-level village officer | Mid-level administrative officer |
Patwari vs BDO Salary Slip (2025)
Let’s compare the Patwari vs BDO salary slip with allowances and level according to the 7th Pay Commission:
| Post | Pay Level | Basic Pay | Approx. Gross Salary (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patwari | Level 3 / 4 | ₹21,700 – ₹28,000 | ₹30,000 – ₹38,000 per month |
| BDO | Level 8 / 9 | ₹47,600 – ₹53,100 | ₹70,000 – ₹85,000 per month |
Eligibility Criteria — Patwari vs BDO
- Patwari Eligibility: 10+2 / Graduation, computer knowledge, local language proficiency, state-level exam.
- BDO Eligibility: Graduation in any discipline, selected through State PSC / Combined Administrative Exam.
Patwari vs BDO — Which is Better?
If we compare Patwari vs BDO, clearly the BDO post is higher and better in terms of salary, power, and social status. While Patwari is a field-level land officer, BDO handles an entire block with multiple villages. A BDO is a gazetted officer with authority, vehicle, and staff under them — whereas Patwari works under the Tehsildar and BDO indirectly.
Tehsildar vs BDO
Tehsildar belongs to the Revenue Department and handles land and tax-related administration, while BDO handles development schemes and panchayat affairs. Both are Class-II Gazetted Officers, but their departments differ:
- Tehsildar: Revenue and land records.
- BDO: Rural development and welfare programs.
Patwari, Tehsildar, and BDO — Rank Hierarchy
The administrative ranking can be summarized as:
- Patwari → Kanungo → Naib Tehsildar → Tehsildar → SDM → ADM → DM (Revenue Side)
- Gram Sevak → Extension Officer → BDO → CEO (ZP) → Director (Rural Development) (Development Side)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Patwari vs BDO — Who has more power?
A: BDO has far more administrative power, budget control, and staff compared to Patwari.
Q2: What is the salary of Patwari vs BDO in 2025?
A: Patwari earns around ₹30,000–₹38,000/month; BDO earns ₹70,000–₹85,000/month depending on state and allowances.
Q3: Is Patwari a gazetted officer?
A: No. Patwari is a non-gazetted post. BDO is a Group-B Gazetted Officer.
Q4: What is the promotion path for Patwari?
A: Patwari → Kanungo → Naib Tehsildar → Tehsildar.
Q5: Patwari vs BDO Quora — What do people say?
A: Most people agree that BDO offers better growth, social prestige, and workload balance compared to Patwari.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Patwari is a great entry-level government job for rural administration, but BDO stands much higher in terms of rank, salary, power, and career growth. If your goal is long-term authority and development administration, BDO is the better choice in 2025 and beyond.