About Us

Athgarh a former Princely state, is located at the outskirts of the meanderingly of the Sapua and Kantia river, is now a major chunk of Athgarh Sub-division in the District of Cuttack and State of Odisha lies between 20` 26'' and 20` 41'' N and 84` 32'' and 85` 52'' E. The Sub-Division headquarters is at Athgarh which is well connected by rail and air.

Long since 1960 the establishment of college in this area was cherished in the minds of the enlightened people of Athgarh. The dream took a tangible shape in March,1963 in a preparatory meeting of the leading personalities and Sarapanchas of Athgarh Block held on the premises of Biswanath Bidyapitha, Athgarh under the presidentship of Padmabhusan Dr. Radhanath Rath, Editor “The Samaj”. A resolution was adopted for the establishment of a Science College from 1963-64 academic session at Athgarh. The college started functioning in the town club from August, 1963 with 64 seats in P.U. Science. Next year P.U. Arts class with 64 seats was opened. In deference to Dr. Rath’s proposal the college was named as Gopabandhu Science College after the name of “Utkalmani Gopabandhu” the founder of “The Samaj” the Satyabadi School and the chief architect of modern Odisha.

In 1972 the college was shifted from the Town Hall building to the abandoned C.T. School campus in Khuntakata Village, 5 KMs from the town. An area measuring AC 11.05 with standing permanent structures belonging to the Education Department was leased out to the management of the college. In 1979 the college was shifted to its permanent accommodation in the erstwhile palace of the king of Athgarh. At present the campus spreads over a compact area of 25 acres with a tranquil and serene atmosphere congenial for ideal academic environment.

The institution became a degree college in Science and Arts in the year 1972. The Faculty of commerce was introduced in 1980, with 64 seats. With the introduction of +2 and +3 pattern in Higher Education the traditional intermediate and degree classes in the college were converted to +2 and +3 streams in 1983 and 1985 respectively. The college is affiliated to Utkal University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The Utkal University granted affiliation for Honours course in Political Science and History in 1977. Odia and Mathematics in 1978, Chemistry in 1979, Economics and Physics in 1980, Botany in 1988, English in 1992, Zoology in 1994, Education, Sanskrit and Philosophy in 2004.

New subjects viz. Education, Sanskrit, Logic and Philosophy were introduced at +3 level between 1980 and 1994. Besides that, +3 Commerce stream has also opened in the college with accounting and Management of 32 seats each.

During last 55 years of its existence the college authorities have developed the infrastructure of the college to accommodate the growing needs of the students. The growth of the college is attributed to the donations received from generous public, some eminent personalities in the formative years and the students from time to time and grants received from the UGC and Government of Odisha. The UGC has provided basic assistance and development grants to this college which has helped its development in different directions.

At present Sri Bhabani Prasad Pattnaik, the Principal of the College acts as Secretary and Mr. Ranendra Pratap Swain, Hon’ble M.L.A., Athgarh is the President of its Governing Body.

The College is marching ahead with a vision and mission to consolidate its position as a premier institution of Higher Education in the State. The college has been awarded ‘B+’ Grade by the NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) of the University Grants Commission.

The Campus has been free wi-fi enabled for students and staff members.

The college has traversed a long way, and has celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2013-14.