Odisha State Open University is the only state university in Odisha that started the initiative of imparting education through open and distance learning modes. Odisha State Open University Distance Education is a well-known university in its region It was established by the government of Odisha in 2015 and situated in Sambalpur, Odisha.

The Odisha State Open University offers distance education across the nation and manages its education quality through 54 regional centers established by the university in different regions or parts of the state of Odisha. The main objective behind the university’s initiative of distance education was to offer top-quality education with a focus on discipline, technology, and the latest updates in the educational system and make all these facilities available to every student willing to pursue their further studies at an affordable cost.

The Chancellor of the university is none other than the governor of Odisha, Ganeshi Lal and by his virtue, he is the head of Odisha State Open University. The university focuses on enhancing the skills of an individual, which mainly compromises vocational, and add-on skills which result in better future opportunities for an individual. 

Odisha State Open University is a well-known university that the University Grants Commission recognizes, the Distance Education Bureau (DEB), the National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), the Bar Council of India (BCI), and the Medical Council of India (MCI). The university also comprises eight fully functional schools operated under OSOU, These schools offer degree, diploma, and certificate programs in different specializations like agriculture, science, business, commerce, engineering, and many more.