A Maharashtra Talathi is a village-level revenue official responsible for maintaining land records including 7/12 Utara (Satbara — extract of rights and cultivations), Form 8A (khata register), mutation register, and crop survey registers. They conduct Pahani (field inspection) surveys, process mutation entries for property transfers, and issue certified copies of land records to citizens. Talathis work under the Mandal Officer and Tahsildar, maintain Gram Panchayat revenue accounts, and assist in natural calamity assessment for crop insurance claims. They are key implementers of digitization under the Mahabhumi portal.

The Maharashtra Land Revenue Code (MLRC) 1966 is the primary legislation governing land revenue administration in Maharashtra. It defines the hierarchy of revenue officers (from Talathi to Revenue Commissioner), procedures for assessment, collection, and recovery of land revenue, mutation of land records, survey and settlement operations, and land acquisition. The exam tests knowledge of key provisions: Section 149-151 (rights of holders), Chapter X (diversion of land), procedures for 7/12 corrections, and powers of Tahsildar under MLRC. Additional laws tested include Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act and Transfer of Property Act.

A Maharashtra Talathi receives a basic pay in the pay scale of Rs. 25,500–81,100 (6th Pay Commission revised), with gross monthly salary of approximately Rs. 28,000–36,000 including DA, HRA, and allowances. The in-hand salary is approximately Rs. 25,000–32,000 per month. Field allowance, rural service allowance, and housing accommodation assistance are additional benefits. Career progression leads to Circle Inspector (Mandal Nirikshak), Naib Tahsildar, and Tahsildar levels through Maharashtra Revenue Department departmental promotions and competitive exams.

Maharashtra Talathi recruitment exam has been conducted in Computer Based Test (CBT) online mode in recent years. Candidates appear at designated examination centers equipped with computers. The test has 100 objective-type questions with 4 options each, and results are announced with a merit list. Some rounds may include a typing test in Marathi for basic computer proficiency verification. The shift to online CBT has made the process more transparent and faster in result declaration compared to the earlier OMR-based offline examinations.

Maharashtra Talathi vacancies are released by the Revenue Department for various districts based on retirements, new posts, and backlog vacancies. Recent recruitment cycles have seen 4,000–8,000 vacancies across Maharashtra's 36 districts. Vacancies are district-specific and candidates typically apply for their home district preference. Reservation norms follow Maharashtra government rules for SC/ST/NT/OBC/EWS categories. Women candidates get preference in certain districts as per Maharashtra government policy for village-level revenue posts.