An HP Patwari maintains land records including jamabandi (record of rights), Shajra Nasab (genealogical record), Latha (field map), and mutation records for their assigned halqa (circle) in Himachal Pradesh. They conduct biannual crop inspections, assess natural calamity damage for compensation, and assist in property registrations and dispute resolution. HP Patwaris work under Kanungos and Tehsildars to ensure accurate land data essential for property taxation, government scheme targeting, and agricultural policy implementation. Due to mountainous terrain, their fieldwork is particularly demanding.

The HP Patwari exam covers General Knowledge of Himachal Pradesh (history, culture, geography, economy, current affairs), Hindi (grammar, comprehension), Mathematics (arithmetic, algebra, mensuration, land measurement), and Revenue Laws & Land Records (HP Land Revenue Act, HP Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, mutation procedures, land record formats). Questions on HP-specific geography including districts, rivers, wildlife sanctuaries, and culture form a major part of the GK section. Revenue laws questions focus on HP-specific legislation and land record maintenance procedures.

An HP Patwari receives a monthly salary in the pay scale with Grade Pay of Rs. 1,900–2,400, resulting in a gross monthly salary of approximately Rs. 18,000–24,000 including DA, HRA, and allowances. Field allowance for village surveys and hill allowance for remote postings add to the take-home pay. After HP's 7th Pay Commission implementation, the in-hand salary ranges from Rs. 16,000–22,000 per month. Promotion to Kanungo and Naib Tehsildar is possible through departmental examinations.

Himachal Pradesh has unique land record formats suited to its hilly terrain. The Shajra Nasab is a genealogical record tracing ownership lineage, while the Latha is a detailed field survey map. Jamabandi records in HP include specific columns for terraced farming plots, forest rights, and water source rights (kuhl rights) that are unique to mountain agriculture. The HP Land Revenue Act has provisions for common lands (shamlat deh) and nomadic grazing rights that are not found in plains state revenue laws. HP has also adopted e-Himrishi for digital land records.

The HP Patwari selection process consists of a written examination conducted by HPSSSC followed by document verification. The written exam has 100 objective-type questions to be solved in 90 minutes. There is no interview or physical test for this post. Candidates who qualify the written exam are called for document verification where certificates of age, education, category, and HP domicile are checked. Special weightage may be given to candidates from specific districts based on vacancy distribution and local posting requirements.