North Orissa University was established in 1998 by the Government of Odisha. It is recognized by UGC and its jurisdiction covers around 100 colleges in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts in northern part of Odisha imparting education to a large number of students at the graduate and postgraduate level. Its main campus is at Baripada and second campus is at Keonjhar academically functional with effect from 2017.