BlockOpen government data

Kaler Block

कलेर · Bihar › Arwal

Gram Panchayats
15
Villages
61
Schools
154

Quick answer

Kaler is a development block in Arwal district, Bihar, with 15 gram panchayats and 61 villages (LGD code 6506). This directory lists 154 schools and 6 post offices here.

· Sources: LGD, Election Commission of India, Census 2011 and other open government data

About Kaler Block

Kaler (कलेर) is a development block in Arwal district, Bihar, part of the Magadh Division. It’s the middle tier of Panchayati Raj: the elected Panchayat Samiti is headed by the Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti), and the Block Development Officer (BDO) runs the block office. LGD code: 6506.

Kaler block has 15 gram panchayats covering 61 revenue villages. By number of panchayats it ranks 2 of the 5 blocks in Arwal district. Its villages come under Kaler anchal.

Kaler is about 17 km south-west of Arwal headquarters as the crow flies.

In Vidhan Sabha elections, the block is part of Arwal.

Kaler at a glance

NameKaler / कलेर
TypeBlock
LGD code6506
DistrictArwal
DivisionMagadh Division
StateBihar
Gram Panchayats15
Villages61
Coordinates25.1472° N, 84.5372° E
Schools154
Post Offices6

Map of Kaler

Points are approximate, based on State Election Commission polling-centre locations. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Kaler Block Gram Panchayat List

Kaler Block has 15 gram panchayats. Open any of them to see its villages, Mukhiya, polling centres, nearby facilities and schemes.

Gram PanchayatName in HindiVillagesLGD code
Belawon Panchayatवेलाव पंचायत2238492
Belsar Panchayatबेलसार पंचायत5238487
Injor Panchayatइंजोर पंचायत6238479
Ismailpur Koil Panchayatइस्माइलपुर कोइल पंचायत6238484
Jaipur Panchayatजयपुर पंचायत4238485
Kamta Panchayatकामता पंचायत3238483
Mainpura Panchayatमैनपुरा पंचायत6238489
North Kaler Panchayatउत्तरी कलेर पंचायत1238491
Pahleja Panchayatपहलेजा पंचायत3238481
Sakri Khurd Panchayatसकरी खुर्द पंचायत5238482
Sohsa Panchayatसोहसा पंचायत4238488
South Kaler Panchayatदक्षिणी कलेर पंचायत2238490
Teri Panchayatटेरी पंचायत3238486
Usari Panchayatउसरी पंचायत4238480
Walidad Panchayatवलिदाद पंचायत7238478

Population of Kaler

We’re still adding village-level census tables for this area. Meanwhile, here are the Census 2011 rural figures for Arwal district, which Kaler is part of:

Census 2011, rural areas
Rural population6,48,994
Rural households1,09,769
Rural literacy rate66.8%
Rural sex ratio929
Rural SC population share20.3%
Rural work participation34.2%

Health and household indicators (NFHS-5)

These NFHS-5 (2019–21) health and household figures are for Arwal district, where Kaler is. They’re district averages, not figures for the village itself:

IndicatorArwal
Women who are literate62.5%
Women with 10+ years of schooling32.9%
Institutional births79.2%
Children 12–23 months fully vaccinated84.2%
Children under 5 who are stunted45.6%
Women (15–49) who are anaemic66.9%
Households using clean cooking fuel29.3%
Households with improved sanitation43.4%
Households with electricity97.4%
Households with health insurance15.6%
Households with improved drinking water99.9%

Work and livelihood

As in most of rural Bihar, people around Kaler live mainly off farming (wheat, maize and pulses such as lentil in the Rabi season, paddy or maize in the Kharif season, depending on the area), along with dairy and job guarantee wage work. Since July 2026 that’s VB-G RAM G, which replaced MGNREGA: a household with a job card from the gram panchayat can get at least 125 days of paid work a year. Farmers can sign up for PM-KISAN and a Kisan Credit Card through the block agriculture office or a Common Service Centre.

Kaler Block office: BDO and contacts

The Block Development Officer (BDO) heads the Kaler block office, with assistant officers for agriculture, cooperatives, panchayats, social welfare and statistics. The elected Panchayat Samiti, made up of directly elected members and the Mukhiyas of the block’s gram panchayats, chooses the Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti) and approves the block development plan.

Go to the Kaler block office for PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) houses, Swachh Bharat toilets, pension verification, job guarantee problems (VB-G RAM G, earlier MGNREGA) and complaints about a gram panchayat. You can also file a complaint on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call helpline 1800 345 6284.

Kaler Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti) and MLAs

No.Assembly ConstituencyMLA (party)Lok Sabha Constituency
214ArwalManoj Kumar (Bharatiya Janata Party)Jahanabad

Panchayat elections

Mukhiya seats won by women
47%2021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar
Candidates per Mukhiya seat
8.52021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar

Women won 7 of the 15 Mukhiya seats in Kaler in the 2021 panchayat election (47%), 1 of them on seats not reserved for women. 2021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar

In the 2021 panchayat election, an average of 8.5 candidates stood for each Mukhiya's seat in Kaler, against 8.2 across Bihar.

How Kaler scores on the Panchayat Advancement Index

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0) gives every gram panchayat a score from 0 to 100 on nine themes of the Localised Sustainable Development Goals. It uses about 150 indicators that panchayats report and block and district officials check.

PAI score
42.9/1002023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)

Across its panchayats, Kaler averages 42.9 out of 100 in the Panchayat Advancement Index 2023-24, 5th of 5 in Arwal, well behind the Bihar average of 51.9. 2023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)

None of the 15 scored panchayats of Kaler reached the Front Runner band (75+) in 2023-24.

Scores on the nine development themes

Poverty-free and enhanced livelihoods50.6
Healthy panchayat51.3
Child-friendly panchayat44.8
Water-sufficient panchayat37.0
Clean and green panchayat34.8
Self-sufficient infrastructure33.1
Socially just and secured63.0
Good governance56.7
Women-friendly panchayat39.7

Kaler does best on “Socially just and secured” (63.0) and worst on “Self-sufficient infrastructure” (33.1). That 30-point gap shows where the next Gram Panchayat Development Plan could focus. 2023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)

Schools in and near Kaler

Kaler Block has 154 schools on record. See the full list of schools

This list comes from the Ministry of Education’s UDISE+ school register. It covers government, government-aided and private schools and madrasas, each by the highest stage it teaches, from primary to higher secondary. See udiseplus.gov.in for a school’s full record.

Banks (IFSC), post office (PIN) and CSC near Kaler

On record in Kaler Block: 6 Post Offices.

Facilities at a glance

FacilityCount
🏫 Schools154View list
📮 Post Offices6View list

How to reach Kaler

Piro station (23 km) is the closest railway station to the middle of Kaler (ECR zone).

The nearest airport is Gaya Airport, about 61 km away.

PlaceTypeDistanceDirection
Arwal headquartersDistrict17 kmsouth-west
Piro (PIRO)Railway Station23 kmnorth-west
Nonar Halt (NON)Railway Station23 kmnorth-west
Hasanbazar Halt (HSB)Railway Station23 kmnorth-west
Gaya AirportAirport61 kmsouth-east
Jay Prakash Narayan AirportAirport74 kmnorth-east

Distances are straight-line; by road it's usually 20–40% farther.

How far Kaler is from everyday services

Straight-line distances from the panchayat's mapped centre to the nearest facility of each kind. By road, expect them to be 20–40% longer.

Nearest bank branch
15 kmCalculatedRBI bank branch list
Nearest railway station
22 kmCalculatedDataMeet railways

On average, a gram panchayat in Kaler is 15 km from the nearest bank branch (more than twice the Bihar average of 7.5 km). CalculatedRBI bank branch list

A typical gram panchayat in Kaler is 22 km from the nearest railway station. Gram panchayats in Kaler are, on average, 2.3 km from the nearest post office.

Places near Kaler

These are the nearest Blocks to Kaler (straight-line distance). Handy for finding neighbouring villages, markets and offices:

BlockDistrictDistanceDirection
HaspuraAurangabad12 kmsouth
SaharBhojpur13 kmnorth
TarariBhojpur14 kmnorth-west
ArwalArwal14 kmnorth-east
DaudnagarAurangabad15 kmsouth-west
KapriArwal18 kmeast

Other Blocks in Arwal

Citizen services: how to get things done

MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job card and work

  1. Apply for a job card at your gram panchayat with photos and Aadhaar of the adult members of the household. An old MGNREGA job card with e-KYC done stays valid until the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Card is issued.
  2. Ask for work in writing and keep the receipt. You now have a right to at least 125 days a year, and if work doesn’t come in the set time, you’re entitled to an unemployment allowance. Check attendance and wage payments on nrega.nic.in with your job card number.

Old-age, widow and disability pension

  1. Apply online on RTPS Bihar (social security pension) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter. Attach proof of age (or of your spouse’s death, or of disability), an income certificate, Aadhaar and your bank passbook.
  2. In villages, the Kaler Block Development Officer (BDO) verifies the application. Once it’s sanctioned, the pension goes straight into your bank account.

Ration card

  1. To get a new ration card or add family members, apply on RTPS Bihar (ration card service) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter. The card is made out in the name of the eldest woman of the household.
  2. In villages, Kaler block officials check the application and the supply inspector or District Supply Officer approves it.

Income, caste and domicile certificates

  1. Apply at a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter or on RTPS Bihar (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in). Take your Aadhaar, a photo and a signed self-declaration.
  2. The application goes to your Anchal. The Rajasva Karmachari checks it in the village and the Circle Inspector sends the report on.
  3. The Circle Officer (CO) issues a digitally signed certificate, usually within 7–15 working days. Track it online with your application number.

Complaints and Right to Information (RTI)

  1. Complain about any government service on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call 1800 345 6284. It goes to the officer responsible, and you can track what happens online.
  2. To find out what the panchayat spent and on which works, file an RTI application (₹10 fee) with the Public Information Officer at Kaler block. Works and payments are also listed on egramswaraj.gov.in.

Portals and procedures change, so check with the office before you apply. If a link has moved, look for the service by name on the portal's home page.

Government schemes for residents of Kaler

These schemes, from the central government and the Government of Bihar, matter most to households in Kaler. Each card says who can apply, what you get and where to apply locally. Open a scheme for the full rules, the documents you need and the steps.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G)

Financial help to build a pucca house with basic amenities for rural families who are homeless or live in kutcha houses.

Benefit₹1.20 lakh in plain areas (plus rural job scheme wages (VB-G RAM G, earlier MGNREGA) and a Swachh Bharat toilet)
Who can applyHouseless or kutcha-house families identified through SECC/Awaas+ survey and approved by the Gram Sabha
Where to applythe panchayat secretary and the block office

Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), VB-G RAM G (earlier MGNREGA)

From 1 July 2026 this Act replaces MGNREGA. Every rural household can get at least 125 days of paid unskilled work a year on works the Gram Sabha approves, such as ponds, roads, plantations and farm bunds. Old e-KYC'd MGNREGA job cards stay valid until the new Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards are issued.

BenefitAt least 125 days of work a year at the notified wage, paid weekly or within 15 days into your bank or post office account
Who can applyAny adult member of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work
Where to applythe panchayat secretary and the block office

PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

Income support of ₹6,000 a year, paid in three instalments of ₹2,000 directly to the bank accounts of land-holding farmer families.

Benefit₹6,000 per year in three instalments
Who can applyFarmer families owning cultivable land (with exclusions for taxpayers, pensioners and officials); e-KYC and land seeding required
Where to applythe nearest Common Service Centre (CSC), online and the block office

Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (Ayushman card)

Cashless hospital treatment up to ₹5 lakh per family per year at empanelled government and private hospitals; all citizens aged 70+ are also covered.

BenefitHealth cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year
Who can applySECC-listed deprived families, NFSA ration-card families covered by the UP extension, and senior citizens 70+
Where to applythe nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and online

Swachh Bharat Mission – Gramin (household toilet)

Incentive to build an individual household toilet, plus solid and liquid waste management works in villages under ODF Plus.

Benefit₹12,000 incentive for a household toilet
Who can applyRural households without a toilet (BPL and identified APL categories)
Where to applythe panchayat secretary, the block office and online

Jal Jeevan Mission – Har Ghar Jal

Functional household tap connection providing safe drinking water to every rural home, managed with the village water and sanitation committee.

BenefitFree household tap connection
Who can applyAll rural households
Where to applythe panchayat secretary

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connection)

Deposit-free LPG connection with first refill and stove for women from poor households.

BenefitFree LPG connection, first refill and stove
Who can applyAdult women from poor households without an existing LPG connection
Where to applyonline and the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC)

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

Maternity benefit for pregnant and lactating mothers to compensate wage loss and support nutrition.

Benefit₹5,000 for the first child; ₹6,000 if the second child is a girl
Who can applyPregnant women and lactating mothers (excluding regular government employees)
Where to applythe Anganwadi centre and online

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (zero-balance account)

Basic savings bank account with no minimum balance, RuPay debit card with accident insurance and overdraft facility.

BenefitZero-balance account, RuPay card, ₹2 lakh accident cover
Who can applyAny Indian resident aged 10+ without a bank account
Where to applyyour bank branch

Kisan Credit Card (KCC)

Short-term crop loans at a subsidised interest rate for farmers, livestock and fisheries, with interest subvention for prompt repayment.

BenefitCrop loan at an effective 4% interest on timely repayment (up to ₹3 lakh)
Who can applyOwner and tenant farmers, sharecroppers, SHGs/JLGs of farmers, animal husbandry and fisheries farmers
Where to applyyour bank branch

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

Cash assistance for institutional delivery in government hospitals, with free transport and care arranged through the ASHA.

Benefit₹1,400 to rural mothers for institutional delivery
Who can applyPregnant women delivering in a government or accredited facility
Where to applythe Anganwadi centre

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (crop insurance)

Crop insurance against natural calamities, pests and diseases at a low farmer premium (2% Kharif, 1.5% Rabi).

BenefitCompensation for notified crop losses
Who can applyAll farmers growing notified crops in notified areas
Where to applyyour bank branch, the nearest Common Service Centre (CSC) and online

PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima & PM Suraksha Bima Yojana

Low-cost life cover (₹2 lakh for ₹436 a year) and accident cover (₹2 lakh for ₹20 a year) through your bank account.

Benefit₹2 lakh life cover and ₹2 lakh accident cover
Who can applyBank account holders aged 18–50 (life) and 18–70 (accident)
Where to applyyour bank branch

DAY-NRLM / UP State Rural Livelihood Mission (women's self-help groups)

Organises rural women into self-help groups with revolving funds, bank credit and livelihood training; members can become BC Sakhi, Lakhpati Didi and more.

BenefitRevolving fund, community investment fund and low-interest bank loans
Who can applyWomen from rural households, especially poor and vulnerable families
Where to applythe block office

Browse all government schemes

Terrain and climate of Kaler

Elevation
85 mCalculatedSRTM elevation model
Average annual rainfall
987 mm2001-2020CalculatedNASA POWER

The gram panchayats of Kaler lie at an average of about 85 metres above sea level. CalculatedSRTM elevation model

Kaler gets roughly 990 mm of rain in an average year. The land around it is almost flat: heights within 2 km vary by only about 11 m, typical of the alluvial plains.

Land cover around Kaler

Land cover within about 2 km

  • Cropland 82%
  • Tree cover 9.3%
  • Built-up land 2.8%
  • Water and wetland 1.9%
  • Grass and scrub 1.2%
  • Bare or sparse land 2.9%

Averaged over its gram panchayats, the land around Kaler's villages is about 82% cropland, 9% tree cover and 3% built-up (ESA WorldCover 2021). 2021CalculatedESA WorldCover 2021

From the blog

Stories from Kaler Block

Kaler Block: frequently asked questions

Which district is Kaler Block in?

Kaler Block is in Arwal district (Magadh Division).

How many gram panchayats are there in Kaler Block?

There are 15 gram panchayats in Kaler Block.

How many villages are there in Kaler Block?

Kaler Block has 61 revenue villages.

Where is the Kaler block office and what does it do?

The Kaler block office (Khand Vikas Karyalaya) is at the block headquarters in Arwal district. It deals with VB-G RAM G (earlier MGNREGA), PM Awas Yojana (Gramin), pension verification, Swachh Bharat Mission and most gram panchayat matters, so it’s where you go when the panchayat can’t sort something out.

Which assembly constituency does Kaler come under?

Kaler comes under the Arwal Vidhan Sabha (assembly) constituency.

Who is the MLA of Kaler?

The MLA for Arwal is Manoj Kumar (Bharatiya Janata Party), elected in the 2025 assembly election. They got 79,854 votes (46.7%) and won by 14,093 votes.

Which Lok Sabha constituency is Kaler in?

Kaler is in the Jahanabad Lok Sabha constituency.

Who is the MP of Kaler?

The Member of Parliament for Jahanabad is Surendra Prasad Yadav (Rashtriya Janata Dal), elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. They got 4,43,035 votes (47.9%) and won by 1,42,591 votes.

Show 15 more questions

Which gram panchayat in Kaler Block has the most villages?

Walidad Panchayat has the most villages (7).

How many Mukhiyas in Kaler Block are women?

In the 2021 panchayat election, women won 7 of the 15 Mukhiya seats here (47%).

How many candidates contested each Mukhiya seat in Kaler Block in 2021?

In the 2021 panchayat election, an average of 8.5 candidates contested each Mukhiya seat in Kaler Block. No Mukhiya seat was won unopposed.

How do the panchayats of Kaler perform in the Panchayat Advancement Index?

The gram panchayats of Kaler average 42.9 out of 100 in PAI 2023-24, well behind the Bihar average of 51.9.

How many banks and post offices are there in Kaler Block?

We list 6 post offices in Kaler Block.

How far is Kaler Block from Arwal district headquarters?

The centre of Kaler Block is about 17 km south-west of Arwal district headquarters as the crow flies; by road it will be further.

Which is the nearest railway station to Kaler Block?

The nearest railway station to the centre of Kaler Block is Piro (PIRO), about 23 km away as the crow flies. Other stations close by: Nonar Halt (NON), 23 km; Hasanbazar Halt (HSB), 23 km.

Which is the nearest airport to Kaler Block?

The nearest airport to the centre of Kaler Block is Gaya Airport (GAY), about 61 km away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT), about 74 km away.

Which blocks are near Kaler Block?

Neighbouring blocks of Kaler Block: Haspura (12 km), Sahar (13 km), Tarari (14 km), Arwal (14 km) and Daudnagar (15 km).

How can I check MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job cards or the PM Awas (Gramin) list for Kaler Block?

On nrega.nic.in, pick the state, district Arwal and block Kaler, then your gram panchayat, to see job cards and wage payments. The PM Awas Yojana (Gramin) list works the same way on pmayg.dord.gov.in. Both schemes are run from the Kaler block office by the Block Development Officer (BDO). MGNREGA became VB-G RAM G on 1 July 2026.

How do I apply for a pension in Kaler Block?

For old-age, widow or disability pension, apply online on RTPS Bihar (social security pension) (serviceonline.bihar.gov.in) or through a Common Service Centre (CSC) or RTPS counter. The Block Development Officer (BDO) verifies rural applications from Kaler block, and once approved the pension goes straight into your bank account, so make sure the account is linked to Aadhaar.

How can I file a complaint with the Kaler Block administration?

File your complaint on Bihar Lok Shikayat Nivaran (lokshikayat.bihar.gov.in) or call helpline 1800 345 6284. It goes to the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Kaler Block and the department concerned, and you can track it online with the complaint number.

What is the altitude of Kaler Block above sea level?

The gram panchayats of Kaler Block lie at an average of about 85 metres above sea level (SRTM terrain model).

How much rainfall does Kaler Block get, and how hot does it get?

On 2001-2020 averages, the gram panchayats of Kaler Block get about 990 mm of rain a year, 85% of it between June and September. The hottest days reach about 48°C, while the coldest nights fall to about 2°C. (NASA POWER satellite-model estimates)

How much farmland and tree cover is there around Kaler Block?

Around the gram panchayats of Kaler Block, the land is on average 82% cropland, 9% tree cover, 3% built-up land and 2% water, going by ESA WorldCover 2021 satellite maps.

Data sources and updates

We built this page from public, open government data. Each figure is as of its source’s date and may have changed since, so check with the office concerned before using it for anything official.

Data last refreshed: October 18, 2026

How we collect and label data · Disclaimer

Add or correct information (Mukhiya, secretary, contact)