Odisha, a state rich in cultural heritage and academic excellence, is home to several esteemed government universities. These institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and professional programs. Backed by quality faculty, research infrastructure, and government support, they are shaping the next generation of scholars, professionals, and leaders.
Below is a curated list of the Top 10 Government Universities in Odisha you should know about:
1. Utkal University – Bhubaneswar
- Established: 1943 (Oldest university in Odisha)
- Specialties: Arts, Science, Commerce, Law, Social Sciences
- Highlights: NAAC A+ grade, strong research departments
- Website: utkaluniversity.nic.in
2. Berhampur University – Bhanja Bihar
- Established: 1967
- Specialties: Science, Business Administration, Marine Biology
- Highlights: Coastal research facilities, autonomous colleges
- Website: buodisha.edu.in
3. Sambalpur University – Jyoti Vihar, Burla
- Established: 1967
- Specialties: Rural development, environmental science, tribal studies
- Highlights: Center for regional research and innovations
- Website: suniv.ac.in
4. Ravenshaw University – Cuttack
- Established: 1868 (upgraded to university in 2006)
- Specialties: Humanities, management, applied geography
- Highlights: One of the oldest academic institutions in India
- Website: ravenshawuniversity.ac.in
5. Fakir Mohan University – Balasore
- Established: 1999
- Specialties: Language, education, natural sciences
- Highlights: Focus on promoting Odia language and literature
- Website: fmuniversity.nic.in
6. North Orissa University (Now Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University) – Baripada
- Established: 1998
- Specialties: Tribal studies, economics, forestry
- Highlights: Strong outreach in tribal belt of Mayurbhanj
- Website: nou.nic.in
7. Gangadhar Meher University – Sambalpur
- Established: 2015 (Upgraded from Gangadhar Meher College)
- Specialties: Sanskrit, political science, literature
- Highlights: Named after the famous poet Gangadhar Meher
- Website: gmuniversity.ac.in
8. Shri Jagannath Sanskrit University – Puri
- Established: 1981
- Specialties: Sanskrit literature, Vedic studies, philosophy
- Highlights: One of the few universities in India solely focused on Sanskrit
- Website: sjsv.nic.in
9. Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) – Rourkela
- Established: 2002
- Specialties: Engineering, MBA, MCA, architecture
- Highlights: Affiliates 100+ engineering and professional colleges across Odisha
- Website: bput.ac.in
10. Odisha State Open University (OSOU) – Sambalpur
- Established: 2015
- Specialties: Distance learning in arts, management, journalism, science
- Highlights: Accessible online and open learning opportunities
- Website: osou.ac.in
