Quick answer
Sameli is a development block in Katihar district, Bihar, with 8 gram panchayats and 36 villages (LGD code 1813). This directory lists 51 schools here.
About Sameli Block
Sameli (समेली) is a development block in Katihar district, Bihar, part of the Purnia 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: 1813.
Sameli block has 8 gram panchayats covering 36 revenue villages. By number of panchayats it ranks 12 of the 16 blocks in Katihar district. Its villages come under Sameli anchal.
As the crow flies, Sameli is about 30 km west of Katihar headquarters.
In Vidhan Sabha elections, the block is part of Barari.
Sameli at a glance
| Name | Sameli / समेली |
|---|---|
| Type | Block |
| LGD code | 1813 |
| District | Katihar |
| Division | Purnia Division |
| State | Bihar |
| Gram Panchayats | 8 |
| Villages | 36 |
| Coordinates | 25.5186° N, 87.2738° E |
| Schools | 51 |
Map of Sameli
Points are approximate, based on State Election Commission polling-centre locations. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Sameli Block Gram Panchayat List
Sameli Block has 8 gram panchayats. Open any of them to see its villages, Mukhiya, polling centres, nearby facilities and schemes.
| Gram Panchayat | Name in Hindi | Villages | LGD code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chakala Maulanagar | चकला मौला नगर | 3 | 96633 |
| Chandpur East | चांदपुर पूर्वी | 1 | 96634 |
| Chandpur West | चांदपुर पश्चिमी | 1 | 96635 |
| Chhohar | छोहार | 9 | 96636 |
| Dumar | डूमर | 4 | 96637 |
| Khaira | खैरा | 2 | 96638 |
| Malharia | मल्हरिया | 8 | 96639 |
| Muradpur | मुरादपुर | 8 | 96640 |
Population of Sameli
We’re still adding village-level census tables for this area. Meanwhile, here are the Census 2011 rural figures for Katihar district, which Sameli is part of:
| Rural population | 27,97,207 |
|---|---|
| Rural households | 5,65,512 |
| Rural literacy rate | 49.6% |
| Rural sex ratio | 921 |
| Rural SC population share | 8.3% |
| Rural work participation | 33.5% |
Health and household indicators (NFHS-5)
These NFHS-5 (2019–21) health and household figures are for Katihar district, where Sameli is. They’re district averages, not figures for the village itself:
| Indicator | Katihar |
|---|---|
| Women who are literate | 49.7% |
| Women with 10+ years of schooling | 19.8% |
| Institutional births | 66.9% |
| Children 12–23 months fully vaccinated | 73.7% |
| Children under 5 who are stunted | 43.9% |
| Women (15–49) who are anaemic | 68.4% |
| Households using clean cooking fuel | 16.9% |
| Households with improved sanitation | 44.6% |
| Households with electricity | 92.0% |
| Households with health insurance | 8.4% |
| Households with improved drinking water | 99.2% |
Work and livelihood
As in most of rural Bihar, people around Sameli 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.
Sameli Block office: BDO and contacts
The Block Development Officer (BDO) heads the Sameli 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 Sameli 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.
Sameli Pramukh (Panchayat Samiti) and MLAs
| No. | Assembly Constituency | MLA (party) | Lok Sabha Constituency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | Barari | Bijay Singh (Janata Dal (United)) | Katihar |
Panchayat elections
- Mukhiya seats won by women
- 50%2021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar
- Candidates per Mukhiya seat
- 6.92021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar
Women won 4 of the 8 Mukhiya seats in Sameli in the 2021 panchayat election (50%), 1 of them on seats not reserved for women. 2021CalculatedState Election Commission, Bihar
In the 2021 panchayat election, an average of 6.9 candidates stood for each Mukhiya's seat in Sameli, against 8.2 across Bihar.
How Sameli 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
- 61.9/1002023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)
Across its panchayats, Sameli averages 61.9 out of 100 in the Panchayat Advancement Index 2023-24, 1st of 16 in Katihar, well ahead of the Bihar average of 51.9. 2023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)
None of the 8 scored panchayats of Sameli reached the Front Runner band (75+) in 2023-24.
Scores on the nine development themes
Sameli does best on “Poverty-free and enhanced livelihoods” (76.2) and worst on “Child-friendly panchayat” (47.9). That 28-point gap shows where the next Gram Panchayat Development Plan could focus. 2023-24CalculatedPanchayat Advancement Index (PAI 2.0)
Schools in and near Sameli
Sameli Block has 51 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.
Facilities at a glance
| Facility | Count | |
|---|---|---|
| 🏫 Schools | 51 | View list |
How to reach Sameli
Bakhri station (6.5 km) is the closest railway station to the middle of Sameli.
The nearest airport is Darbhanga Airport, about 155 km away.
| Place | Type | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katihar headquarters | District | 30 km | west |
| Bakhri (BKHR) | Railway Station | 6.5 km | east |
| Barari Bazar (BRZR) | Railway Station | 8.8 km | east |
| Kursela (KUE) | Railway Station | 8.9 km | south |
| Darbhanga Airport | Airport | 155 km | north-west |
| Bagdogra Airport | Airport | 167 km | north-east |
Distances are straight-line; by road it's usually 20–40% farther.
How far Sameli 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
- 8.4 kmCalculatedRBI bank branch list
- Nearest railway station
- 6.5 kmCalculatedDataMeet railways
On average, a gram panchayat in Sameli is 8.4 km from the nearest bank branch (a little farther than the Bihar average of 7.5 km). CalculatedRBI bank branch list
A typical gram panchayat in Sameli is 6.5 km from the nearest railway station. Gram panchayats in Sameli are, on average, 7.6 km from the nearest post office.
Places near Sameli
These are the nearest Blocks to Sameli (straight-line distance). Handy for finding neighbouring villages, markets and offices:
| Block | District | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kursela | Katihar | 9.6 km | south |
| Rupouli | Purnia | 11 km | west |
| Falka | Katihar | 12 km | north |
| Rangrachowk | Bhagalpur | 16 km | south-west |
| Barari | Katihar | 17 km | east |
| Bhawanipur | Purnia | 18 km | north-west |
Other Blocks in Katihar
Citizen services: how to get things done
MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job card and work
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- In villages, the Sameli Block Development Officer (BDO) verifies the application. Once it’s sanctioned, the pension goes straight into your bank account.
Ration card
- 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.
- In villages, Sameli block officials check the application and the supply inspector or District Supply Officer approves it.
Income, caste and domicile certificates
- 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.
- The application goes to your Anchal. The Rajasva Karmachari checks it in the village and the Circle Inspector sends the report on.
- 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)
- 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.
- To find out what the panchayat spent and on which works, file an RTI application (₹10 fee) with the Public Information Officer at Sameli 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.
Special programmes
Katihar is an Aspirational District under NITI Aayog’s programme, so schemes in Sameli may get extra monitoring and convergence funding. 2018Wider-area figure: KatiharNITI Aayog
Government schemes for residents of Sameli
These schemes, from the central government and the Government of Bihar, matter most to households in Sameli. 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 apply | Houseless or kutcha-house families identified through SECC/Awaas+ survey and approved by the Gram Sabha |
| Where to apply | the 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.
| Benefit | At 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 apply | Any adult member of a rural household willing to do unskilled manual work |
| Where to apply | the 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 apply | Farmer families owning cultivable land (with exclusions for taxpayers, pensioners and officials); e-KYC and land seeding required |
| Where to apply | the 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.
| Benefit | Health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | SECC-listed deprived families, NFSA ration-card families covered by the UP extension, and senior citizens 70+ |
| Where to apply | the 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 apply | Rural households without a toilet (BPL and identified APL categories) |
| Where to apply | the 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.
| Benefit | Free household tap connection |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | All rural households |
| Where to apply | the panchayat secretary |
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (free LPG connection)
Deposit-free LPG connection with first refill and stove for women from poor households.
| Benefit | Free LPG connection, first refill and stove |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Adult women from poor households without an existing LPG connection |
| Where to apply | online 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 apply | Pregnant women and lactating mothers (excluding regular government employees) |
| Where to apply | the 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.
| Benefit | Zero-balance account, RuPay card, ₹2 lakh accident cover |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Any Indian resident aged 10+ without a bank account |
| Where to apply | your 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.
| Benefit | Crop loan at an effective 4% interest on timely repayment (up to ₹3 lakh) |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Owner and tenant farmers, sharecroppers, SHGs/JLGs of farmers, animal husbandry and fisheries farmers |
| Where to apply | your 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 apply | Pregnant women delivering in a government or accredited facility |
| Where to apply | the 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).
| Benefit | Compensation for notified crop losses |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | All farmers growing notified crops in notified areas |
| Where to apply | your 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 apply | Bank account holders aged 18–50 (life) and 18–70 (accident) |
| Where to apply | your 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.
| Benefit | Revolving fund, community investment fund and low-interest bank loans |
|---|---|
| Who can apply | Women from rural households, especially poor and vulnerable families |
| Where to apply | the block office |
Terrain and climate of Sameli
- Elevation
- 36 mCalculatedSRTM elevation model
- Average annual rainfall
- 1,333 mm2001-2020CalculatedNASA POWER
The gram panchayats of Sameli lie at an average of about 36 metres above sea level. CalculatedSRTM elevation model
Sameli gets roughly 1,300 mm of rain in an average year. The land around it is almost flat: heights within 2 km vary by only about 9 m, typical of the alluvial plains.
Land cover around Sameli
Land cover within about 2 km
- Cropland 68%
- Tree cover 26%
- Built-up land 5.3%
- Water and wetland 0.7%
- Grass and scrub 0.5%
Averaged over its gram panchayats, the land around Sameli's villages is about 68% cropland, 26% tree cover and 5% built-up (ESA WorldCover 2021). 2021CalculatedESA WorldCover 2021
From the blog
Stories from Sameli Block
Bihar Panchayat Chunav 2026: When Are the Next Mukhiya and Sarpanch Elections?
The Mukhiyas and Sarpanchs elected in 2021 finish their five-year term in late 2026. What is confirmed so far and how to get ready.
Sameli Block: frequently asked questions
Which district is Sameli Block in?
Sameli Block is in Katihar district (Purnia Division).
How many gram panchayats are there in Sameli Block?
There are 8 gram panchayats in Sameli Block.
How many villages are there in Sameli Block?
Sameli Block has 36 revenue villages.
Where is the Sameli block office and what does it do?
The Sameli block office (Khand Vikas Karyalaya) is at the block headquarters in Katihar 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 Sameli come under?
Sameli comes under the Barari Vidhan Sabha (assembly) constituency.
Who is the MLA of Sameli?
The MLA for Barari is Bijay Singh (Janata Dal (United)), elected in the 2025 assembly election. They got 1,07,842 votes (47.2%) and won by 10,984 votes.
Which Lok Sabha constituency is Sameli in?
Sameli is in the Katihar Lok Sabha constituency.
Who is the MP of Sameli?
The Member of Parliament for Katihar is Tariq Anwar (Indian National Congress), elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha election. They got 5,67,092 votes (48.4%) and won by 49,863 votes.
Show 14 more questions
Which gram panchayat in Sameli Block has the most villages?
Chhohar has the most villages (9).
How many Mukhiyas in Sameli Block are women?
In the 2021 panchayat election, women won 4 of the 8 Mukhiya seats here (50%).
How many candidates contested each Mukhiya seat in Sameli Block in 2021?
In the 2021 panchayat election, an average of 6.9 candidates contested each Mukhiya seat in Sameli Block. No Mukhiya seat was won unopposed.
How do the panchayats of Sameli perform in the Panchayat Advancement Index?
The gram panchayats of Sameli average 61.9 out of 100 in PAI 2023-24, well ahead of the Bihar average of 51.9.
How far is Sameli Block from Katihar district headquarters?
The centre of Sameli Block is about 30 km west of Katihar district headquarters as the crow flies; by road it will be further.
Which is the nearest railway station to Sameli Block?
The nearest railway station to the centre of Sameli Block is Bakhri (BKHR), about 6.5 km away as the crow flies. Other stations close by: Barari Bazar (BRZR), 8.8 km; Kursela (KUE), 8.9 km.
Which is the nearest airport to Sameli Block?
The nearest airport to the centre of Sameli Block is Darbhanga Airport (DBR), about 155 km away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Bagdogra Airport (IXB), about 167 km away.
Which blocks are near Sameli Block?
Neighbouring blocks of Sameli Block: Kursela (9.6 km), Rupouli (11 km), Falka (12 km), Rangrachowk (16 km) and Barari (17 km).
How can I check MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G) job cards or the PM Awas (Gramin) list for Sameli Block?
On nrega.nic.in, pick the state, district Katihar and block Sameli, 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 Sameli 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 Sameli 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 Sameli 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 Sameli 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 Sameli Block and the department concerned, and you can track it online with the complaint number.
What is the altitude of Sameli Block above sea level?
The gram panchayats of Sameli Block lie at an average of about 36 metres above sea level (SRTM terrain model).
How much rainfall does Sameli Block get, and how hot does it get?
On 2001-2020 averages, the gram panchayats of Sameli Block get about 1,330 mm of rain a year, 78% of it between June and September. The hottest days reach about 45°C, while the coldest nights fall to about 1°C. (NASA POWER satellite-model estimates)
How much farmland and tree cover is there around Sameli Block?
Around the gram panchayats of Sameli Block, the land is on average 68% cropland, 26% tree cover and 5% built-up land, 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.
- Assembly constituency boundaries (post-2008 delimitation), datameet/maps, CC BY 2.5 IN
- Airports (OurAirports), Public domain
- Aspirational Districts and Aspirational Blocks Programmes, Public government data
- NASA POWER agro-climatology (long-term monthly normals), Public domain (NASA) (as of 2026-10-16)
- Zoloth curated tables (divisions, ODOP, schemes), CC BY 4.0
- Village boundaries with Census 2001 codes (datameet/indian_village_boundaries), ODbL 1.0 (as of 2001)
- Calculated by Zoloth from the sources cited alongside, CC BY 4.0
- DIGIPIN national addressing grid, computed from the panchayat's reference point, Open algorithm
- SRTM 1-arc-second elevation (AWS Terrain Tiles, Skadi), Public domain (SRTM); see terrain-tiles attribution (as of 2026-10-16)
- Hindi names of assembly and Lok Sabha constituencies (Hindi Wikipedia state lists), CC BY-SA 4.0 (page text); the names themselves are facts (as of 2026-10-16)
- Bank branches with IFSC/MICR (razorpay/ifsc-api), MIT (public RBI data)
- ESA WorldCover 10 m land cover 2021 (v200), CC BY 4.0 (as of 2026-10-16)
- Local Government Directory snapshot (planemad/india-local-government-directory), GODL-India (as of 2022-03-11)
- Lok Sabha 2024 constituency results, Public results (as of 2024)
- Government schemes (myScheme.gov.in), Public scheme information (dataset Apache-2.0)
- National Family Health Survey 5 district fact sheets, Public fact sheets (as of 2019-21)
- Panchayat Advancement Index, theme-wise gram panchayat scores, Public government data (as of 2026-10-16)
- Census of India 2011 Primary Census Abstract (district), Public (as of 2011)
- All-India post office and PIN directory with coordinates, GODL-India
- Hindi spellings derived from a place-name token dictionary (learnt from LGD and SEC names), CC BY 4.0
- Railway stations (datameet/railways), CC0
- Bihar panchayat general election 2021, Mukhiya and Sarpanch results (in-rolls/local_elections_bihar), MIT (compilation); public election results (as of 2026-10-16)
- UDISE+ Basic Details of Schools (school directory with locations), via India Data Portal, ODC-BY 1.0 (India Data Portal); underlying UDISE+ data is public government data (as of 2026-10-16)
- Bihar Vidhan Sabha 2025 results by constituency, Public results (ECI); Wikipedia compilation CC BY-SA 4.0 (as of 2025)
- Wikidata, CC0
Data last refreshed: October 18, 2026
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