Central University of Orissa, Koraput

Central University of Odisha (CUO), originally established as Central University of Orissa in 2009 under the Central Universities Act, 2009, is situated at Sunabeda Town in Koraput District, Odisha, with jurisdiction over the entire state. It was one of 20 central universities created by the Government of India during the UGC XI Plan period to improve higher education access in less-developed districts. Prof. (Dr.) Surabhi Banerjee served as its first Vice Chancellor, and the university was renamed Central University of Odisha in August 2019. Its campus spans 450 acres across the villages of Chikapar and Chakarliput, near Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Sunabeda. The university comprises several schools and departments, including Languages, Social Sciences, Education, Basic and Information Sciences, Commerce and Management, Biodiversity, Applied Science, Integrated Agriculture, and Life Science. Facilities include a Central Library holding over 38,531 volumes and subscribing to more than 8,000 e-resources, along with a Computer Centre offering BSNL broadband connectivity. Student life is supported by hostels with 236 rooms and a Guest House featuring 32 rooms, 8 suites, a banquet hall, and conference facilities.