Blocks in Odisha – Administrative Structure & Key Insights

Introduction

Odisha, a state rich in cultural heritage and administrative efficiency, is divided into 30 districts, further segmented into 314 blocks. These blocks play a crucial role in grassroots governance, ensuring effective implementation of state policies, welfare schemes, and developmental programs.

What Are Blocks in Odisha?

Blocks are administrative units below the district level, facilitating decentralized governance. Each block consists of multiple villages and is headed by a Block Development Officer (BDO).

Key Functions of Blocks

1. Rural Development – Implementing schemes like MGNREGA, PMAY-G, and Swachh Bharat Mission.
2. Agriculture & Livelihood – Promoting farming techniques, irrigation, and self-help groups (SHGs).
3. Healthcare & Education – Managing primary health centers (PHCs) and schools.
4. Infrastructure – Road connectivity, electrification, and water supply.

List of Important Blocks in Odisha

• Cuttack: Salipur, Niali, Kantapada
• Puri: Krushnaprasad, Nimapara, Pipili
• Sundargarh: Kuarmunda, Lathikata, Bisra
• Kalahandi: Bhawanipatna, Lanjigarh, Kesinga

District	Area (Sq. km)	Population	Headquarters	Sub-Divisions	Tehsils	Blocks
Cuttack	3915.2	23,40,686	Cuttack	Cuttack, Athgarh, Banki	Cuttack, Baranga, Niali, Kantapada, Salipur, etc.	Cuttack Sadar, Baranga, Kantapada, Niali, etc.
Jajpur	2884.9	16,22,668	Panikoili	Jajpur	Jajpur, Dasarathpur, Sukinda, Darpan, Binjharpur, etc.	Jajpur, Binjharpur, Korei, Bari, Rasulpur, etc.
Jagatsinghpur	1759.4	10,56,556	Jagatsinghpur	Jagatsinghpur	Jagatsinghpur, Raghunathpur, Biridi, Kujang, Ersama, etc.	Jagatsinghpur, Raghunathpur, Biridi-F, Balikuda, etc.
Kendrapara	2545.6	13,01,856	Kendrapara	Kendrapara	Aul, Kanika, Kendrapara, Derabis, Marsaghai, etc.	Kendrapara, Derabis, Marsaghai, Mahakalapada, etc.
Balasore	3705.8	20,23,056	Balasore	Balasore, Nilgiri	Balasore, Remuna, Basta, Jaleswar, Bhograi, etc.	Balasore, Remuna, Basta, Baliapal, Bhograi, etc.
Bhadrak	2787.9	13,32,249	Bhadrak	Bhadrak	Bhadrak, Chandabali, Dhamnagar, Bhandaripokhari, Basudevpur, etc.	Bhadrak, Bonth, Basudevpur, Tihidi, Chandabali, etc.
Puri	3054.8	14,98,604	Puri	Puri-Sadar	Krushnaprasad, Nimapara, Gop, Pipili, Delanga, etc.	Krushnaprasad, Brahmagiri, Sadar, Gop, Kakatpur, etc.
Khurda	2887.5	18,74,405	Bhubaneswar	Bhubaneswar, Khurda	Bhubaneswar, Balipatna, Balianta, Jatani, Khurda, Banpur, etc.	Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Balipatna, Balianta, Khurda, etc.
Nayagarh	3954.2	8,63,934	Nayagarh	Nayagarh	Daspalla, Gania, Khandapara, Bhapur, Nayagarh, etc.	Nayagarh, Ranpur, Odagaon, Nuagaon, Khandapada, etc.
Mayurbhanj	10418.0	22,21,782	Baripada	Bamanghati, Baripada, etc.	Rairangpur, Bahalda, Bijatala, Bisoi, Jamuda, etc.	Rairangpur, Bijatala, Bisoi, Jamda, Bahalda, etc.
Dhenkanal	4597.1	10,65,983	Dhenkanal	Dhenkanal Sadar, Hindol	Dhenkanal, Gondia, Odapada, Hindol, etc.	Sadar, Odapada, Gondia, Hindol, etc.
Angul	6347.0	11,39,341	Angul	Angul, Talcher, etc.	Angul, Banarpal, Chhendipada, Talcher, Kaniha, etc.	Anugul, Banarpal, Chhendipada, Talcher, Kaniha, etc.
Bolangir	6551.5	13,35,780	Bolangir	Bolangir, Patnagarh, etc.	Bolangir, Tusura, Loisingha, Agalpur, Deogaon, etc.	Bolangir, Loisinga, Puintala, Agalpur, Deogaon, etc.
Subarnapur	2284.4	5,40,659	Subarnapur	Sonepur, Birmaharajpur	Sonepur, Tarava, Rampur, Binika, Biramaharajpur, Ulunda, etc.	Tarva, Sonepur, Dunguripalli, Binika, Biramaharajpur, etc.
Sambalpur	6704.0	9,28,889	Sambalpur	Sambalpur, Rairakhol, etc.	Sambalpur, Rengali, Jujomara, Maneswar, Rairakhol, Naktideuli, etc.	Dhankhanda, Maneswar, Jujumura, Rengali, Rairakhol, etc.
Bargarh	5831.6	13,45,601	Bargarh	Bargarh, Padmapur	Bargarh, Attabira, Bheden, Barpalli, Bhatli, etc.	Bargarh, Barpalli, Attabira, Bhatli, Bheden, etc.
Keonjhar	8303.0	15,61,521	Keonjhar	Anandapur, Champua, etc.	Anandapur, Hatdihi, Ghasipura, Barbil, Champua, Jhumpura, etc.	Anadapur, Hatadihi, Ghasipur, Champua, Jhumpura, etc.
Sundargarh	9712.0	18,29,412	Sundargarh	Panposh, Sundargarh, etc.	Panposh, Biramitrapur, Rourkela, Bisra, Lathikata, etc.	Kuarmunda, Nuagaon, Bisra, Lathikata, Sundargarh, etc.
Jharsuguda	2203.2	5,09,056	Jharsuguda	Jharsuguda	Jharsuguda, Laikera, Lakhanpur, Kolabira, Kirimira, etc.	Jharsuguda, Lakhanpur, Kolabira, Laikera, Kirimira, etc.
Deogarh	2781.7	2,74,095	Deogarh	Deogarh	Deogarh, Riamal, Barkote, etc.	Riamal, Barkote, Tileibani, etc.
Kalahandi	8197.4	13,34,372	Bhawanipatna	Bhawanipatna, Dharmagarh	Bhawanipatna, Lanjigarh, Thuamulrampur, Kesingha, M.Rampur, etc.	Bhawanipatna, Kesinga, Narla, M.Rampur, Karlamunda, etc.
Nuapada	3407.5	5,30,524	Nuapada	Nuapada	Nuapada, Komna, Khariar, Boden, Sinapali, etc.	Nawapara, Komna, Khariar, Sinapalli, Boden, etc.
Ganjam	8032.8	31,38,937	Chhatrapur	Berhampur, Chhatrapur, etc.	Berhampur, Chikiti, Digapahandi, Kanisi, Patrapur, etc.	Rangeilunda, Kukudakhandi, Digapahandi, Sankhemundi, Chikiti, etc.
Gajapati	3056.3	5,18,445	Paralakhemundi	Paralakhemundi	Paralakhemundi, Rayagada, R.Udayagiri, Mohana, Kasinagar, etc.	Kasinagar, Paralakhemundi, Rayagada, Gumma, R.Udayagiri, etc.
Koraput	8534.1	11,77,954	Koraput	Koraput, Jeypore	Koraput, Dasmantapur, Laxmipur, Pottangi, Machhkund, etc.	Koraput, Similiguda, Pottangi, Laxmipur, Nandapur, etc.
Malkangiri	6115.3	4,80,232	Malkangiri	Malkangiri	Malkangiri, Mathili, Motu, Chitrakonda, Kalimela, etc.	Malkangiri, Korkunda, Podia, Khairaput, Kudumuluguma, etc.
Rayagada	7584.8	8,23,019	Rayagada	Rayagada, Gunupur	Kashipur, Rayagada, K.Singpur, Kolnara, Gunupur, Gudari, etc.	Rayagada, Kasipur, Kolnara, K.Singpur, Gunupur, etc.
Nabarangpur	5135.3	10,18,171	Nawrangpur	Nawrangpur	Nawrangpur, Umerkote, Raighar, Kodinga, Dabugaon, etc.	Nawrangpur, Umerkote, Tentulikhunti, Chandahandi, Kosagumuda, etc.
Kandhamal	5464.9	6,47,912	Phulbani	Baliguda, Kondhmal	Baliguda, G.Udayagiri, Daringibadi, Chakpada, Kotagarh, etc.	Balliguda, Chakpad, Daringibadi, G.Udayagiri, Kotgarh, etc.
Boudh	3444.8	3,73,038	Boudh	Boudh	Boudh, Kantamal, Harbhanga, etc.	Boudh, Harabhanga, Kantamal, etc.

• Number of Districts: 30
• Number of Sub-Divisions: 58
• Number of Tehsils: 316
• Number of Blocks: 314

Challenges Faced by Blocks

• Limited Resources – Budget constraints affect implementation.
• Remote Accessibility – Hilly terrains in Kandhamal & Koraput hinder outreach.
• Administrative Delays – Bureaucratic bottlenecks slow progress.

Future of Block-Level Governance

With digital governance initiatives like Odisha One and e-Panchayat, block administration is becoming more transparent and efficient.

FAQ Section

1. How many blocks are there in Odisha?

Odisha has 314 administrative blocks across 30 districts.

2. Who governs a block in Odisha?

A Block Development Officer (BDO) oversees block-level administration.

3. What is the role of blocks in rural development?

Blocks implement schemes like MGNREGA, PMAY-G, and agricultural programs.

4. Which district has the most blocks in Odisha?

Mayurbhanj has the highest number of blocks (26).

5. How are blocks different from tehsils?

• Blocks focus on rural development.
• Tehsils handle revenue administration.