Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University

Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University (MSCB University), formerly known as North Orissa University (NOU), is a public university situated in Baripada, in the Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, India. It was founded by the Government of Odisha under Section 32 of the Odisha University Act, 1989, by notice dated 13 July 1998, and was established in 1999 on a 98.84-acre site in Takatpur, Baripada. The university was created by separating from Utkal University and functions as an affiliating institution, with jurisdiction over 103 institutions across Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, including 65 colleges in Mayurbhanj and 38 in Keonjhar. Among these are 2 autonomous institutions, 2 law colleges, and 3 teachers' education (B.Ed.) colleges, one reserved for physically challenged students. MSCB University has been recognized by the University Grants Commission under Sections 2(f) and 12(B) of the UGC Act, 1956, and is also recognized by the Bar Council of India, DEC, IGNOU, NCTE, and included in the Association of Indian Universities and Association of Commonwealth Universities. It has received an NAAC A grade accreditation with a score of 3.1 out of 4 in its third assessment cycle. The university mainly serves the tribal-populated northern region of Odisha, offering both on-campus and distance education, with an emphasis on job-oriented technical courses.