Malkera is a `census town` located in Dhanbad District in the Indian state of Jharkhand. Dhanbad, the district headquarters, is located in the east of Malkera at a distance of 18 km. Ranchi; the state capital is located at a distance of 115 km. in the west. The town is well connected to the other important cities and towns in the state because it has a good communication system. The nearest airport is at Ranchi and the nearest railway station is the Malkera Railway Station on the Baghmara Dhanbad rail route and the Gomoh Junction Railway Station. Geographically, the town is located between 23.78° North latitude and 86.3° East longitude at a height of 183 metres (600 feet) above mean sea level.

Detailed information about the town is available from the Indian Census report published in 2001. Malkera had a small population of 9804. While males constitute 54% of the population females account for the remaining 46%. In Malkera, 14% of the population is less than six years of age. The Census report also throws light on the literacy rate of this `census town` which is 59.5%. Out of it, the male literacy rate is 75% and the female literayc rate is 52%.

This `census town` is a major mining area in the district. The major tourist destinations in the vicinity of Malkera are Topchanchi Wildlife Sanctuary and Topchanchi Lake.