Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, popularly known by its acronym ‘SOA’, is one of the most preferred and largest multi-disciplinary, research-driven and extension-oriented higher educational ecosystem in India. It was established in 1995 as a Charitable Educational Society. Its journey started from a modest engineering and technology college (Institute of Technical Education and Research: ITER) with the approval of AICTE in 1996. Through the passage of time, SOA grew in stature and diversified into other disciplines of study, solely based on the strength of its quality education and commitment to research. Responding to India’s growing need of contemporary professional education and research, the Ministry of Human Resource Development, on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission (UGC), conferred the Deemed to be University status on Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan, Bhubaneswar on 17th July 2007, under section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, to impact, encourage and promote quality education, research, and extension activities. ITER, the seedling continued to blossom as nine other institutions dealing with various professional disciplines came up around it over the years. This made SOA one of the leading destinations of higher education within India and eventually overseas. It currently comprises ten constituent institutions and Eighteen Advanced Research Centres, sprawling over nearly 127 acres of fully Wi-Fi enabled campus area.

Currently, it offers a wide array of 31 Under Graduate, 79 Postgraduate, 15 Post-Masters, Ph.D. and Post-Doctoral programmes in Engineering and Technology, Medical and Dental Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology, Management Sciences, Nursing, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Legal Studies and Agricultural Sciences. From the academic session 2022-23, SOA has commenced undergraduate programme in Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry. SOA is also known for its thrust on the other study areas such as applied sciences, environmental and climate studies, nanotechnology, material science, and an entire range of paramedical sciences with an intense thrust on skill acquisition.

Known for its quality education and focused research, SOA is home to nearly 15,000 students including about 300 overseas students from 30 countries who have been pursuing various programmes, mentored, and nurtured by an experienced and dedicated pool of 1600 faculty members. The first batch of graduates were awarded their degrees this year. The university was ranked 15th in India by the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) India Rankings 2023. This is an annual ranking exercise initiated in 2016 by Ministry of Education, Government of India. SOA has been continuously ranked within the TOP 25 universities in India in all editions of NIRF Rankings since its inception. SOA strives towards the flawless implementation and practice of National Educational Policy 2020. SOA works in tandem with the Government of India towards revival and research pertaining to the Indian Knowledge System including vernacular translation of ancient classics and modern scientific texts. There is a unique dedicated research centre for the PRESERVATION, PROPAGATION AND RESTORATION OF ANCIENT CULTURE AND HERTAGE OF INDIA, popularly known as PPRACHIN.