Utkal University BA+LLB Review By Palak Guha

Utkal University is definitely a good choice if one is passionate about clearing government exams or interested in Odisha Judicial Services. The college has adapted its syllabus in such a way that is beneficial for clearing such exams. It is also considered one of the top colleges providing law within the state of Odisha. It has a rich and complex history of foundation and well known alumni base with many OJS, civil servants and well known lawyers being a part of it. The 45th Chief Justice of India - Dipak Misra is an alumnus from Madhusudan University, Cuttack which was under Utkal University during his College years and he is also considered as an alumnus of Utkal University. Hence with a strong foundation and deep roots, University Law College is definitely a college worth attending.

The courses provided by University Law College are B.A.LL.B (Hons.), LLB, and LLM in Human Rights. Information about the admission and other updates are made available on the website of the university. The admissions for B.A.LL.B (Hons.) and LLB are through SAMS (Student Academic Management System) an online portal which assigns college to individual with respect to his/her 12th percentage and Graduation marks (LLB). For the admission into LLM course relevant entrance exam is conducted by the university.

The faculty appointed by the college is mostly temporary teaching staff which I personally see as a huge drawback for the college as a fixed and permanent staff is needed to ensure smooth continuation for a college but the general process of selection of the college staff is very rigorous with a mandatory UGC NET mains paper qualification for the teaching staff.

There is a girl’s hostel within the college with proper security and facilities available. The basic amenities such as clean drinking water, hygienic washrooms and living room within the hostel. Rooms within the hostel are to be shared between 4 people. Seniors and juniors all live together in the same room with a lady warden living within the hostel. The process to get an entry within the hostel is to get good rank in the entrance exam and SAMS.

The college is situated in the heart of Bhubaneswar surrounded by roads and official buildings from all the sides and hence it has a very small campus. It has 4 main buildings - administrative block, academics block, moot court hall and library. The administrative bock has all the offices of the staff and teachers as well as the principal's chamber; this is the block where classes for students pursuing B.A.LL.B (Hons.) are taken. The academics block is the building where classes for the students pursuing LLB and LLM occur. The library is a common building for all where books relating to law are provided. The moot court hall is just adjacent to the library building which is fully occupied with mooting materials and is designed as a mock court for teaching and to conduct moot court competition within the college. It is also accompanied by an auditorium for hosting of events and functions. The college also has a Girl's Hostel for students from other regions and area.

The college is mostly involved in activities regarding academics. The college has successful conducted national moot court competition many times and international conference on human rights and UDHR in recent months. Fest and other activities for entertainment are not conducted within the college. The college does not have a mooting society but conducts intra-moot competition within the college between students from all the courses. The culture of having student union and clubs is discouraged in our college with a ban on forming such clubs so as to not promote college politics.