# Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College, Baripada

Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College (abbreviated as MPC College) is a public autonomous college located in Baripada, Odisha, India.

## History
### Establishment

The college was established on July 12, 1948, soon after India's independence. The college owes its inception to the efforts of the popular ministry led by Sri Sarat Chandra Das, the then prime minister, and Maharaja Sri Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo, the ruler of the princely state of Mayurbhanj.
* Founding leadership:
** Prime minister: Sri Sarat Chandra Das
** Ruling chief: Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo of Mayurbhanj State
| Year | Location | Significance |
| 1948 | MKC High School | Initial establishment |
| 1956 | Royal Edifice of Maharaja Pratap Chandra Bhanj Deo | Purchased by Government of Orissa |
| 2001 | Takhatpur Campus | Current location |

### Historical development

| Year | Development |
| 1948 | Establishment of the college |
| 1956 | Acquisition of Royal Edifice by Government of Orissa |
| 1999 | Affiliated to North Orissa University |
| 1999 | Granted autonomous status |
| 2001 | Shifted to new campus at Takhatpur |
| 2004 | Transfer of five PG departments to North Orissa University |

## Academic evolution
### Course introduction timeline

| Year | Program | Intake capacity | Stream |
| 1948 | Intermediate Arts | 112 | Arts |
| 1948 | Intermediate Science | 08 | Science |
| 1949–50 | BA (Pass) | 48 | Arts |
| 1960–61 | B.Sc. (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) | | Science |
| 1965 | Commerce (Pre-University) | | Commerce |
| 1998–99 | B.Sc. Computer Science (Honours) | 32 | Science |
| 2004–05 | B.Com. e-Commerce (Honours) | 32 | Commerce |
| 2015–16 | BBA & BCA | | Management |

### Honours course introduction

| Subject | Year of introduction |
| Economics | 1961 |
| Political Science | 1963 |
| English | 1965 |
| Odia | 1967 |
| Physics | 1967 |
| Chemistry | 1968 |
| Sanskrit | 1978-79 |
| Geology | 2009-10 |
| Geography | 2009-10 |
| Hindi | 2009-10 |
| Sociology | 2009-10 |
| Statistics | 2009-10 |
| Education | 2013-14 |
| Santali | 2014-15 |
| Anthropology | 2014-15 |
| Psychology | 2014–15 |

## Infrastructure and facilities
### Campus overview

| Feature | Details |
| Total area | 330 acres 267 acres (initial allocation) 63 acres (donated by Maharani Takat Kumari) |
| Location | Foothills of Similipal Hills |
| Green coverage | 25,000 trees |
| Building area | 218,996.809 sq. ft. |
| Natural features | Located on the bank of river Budha Balanga |

### Academic infrastructure

| Facility | Quantity | Details |
| Classrooms | 129 | Regular classrooms |
| Smart classrooms | multiple | Audio-visual enabled |
| Virtual classrooms | multiple | Internet-enabled for online teaching |
| Conference Hall | 01 | For seminars and events |
| Language laboratory | 01 | For communication skills development |
| Laboratories | Multiple | Subject-specific practical labs |
| Project presentation room | 01 | For student presentations |
| Seminar libraries | Multiple | Department-wise collections |

### Administrative infrastructure

* Administrative building
** Examination Section
** Accounts Section
** Establishment Section
** Network Resource Center (NRC)
** College Stage
** Conference facilities

### Library facilities

| Resource | Quantity/details |
| Total books | 131,000 |
| Automated books | 80,000 |
| Rare books collection | 50,000 |
| Journal subscriptions | Multiple |
| E-Library access | Available |
| E-Resources | Available |
| Automation system | Integrated Library Management System |

### Sports and recreation

| Facility | Details |
| Multi-gym | Modern equipment |
| Indoor stadium | Recently constructed |
| Outdoor stadium | Multiple sports facilities |
| Playground | Potential for National level development |
| Sports equipment | Comprehensive collection |

### Residential facilities
#### Hostels

| Type | Capacity | Features |
| New boys' hostel | 400 seats | Modern amenities |
| New girls' hostel | 400 seats | Secure environment |
| ST Boys' Hostel | 100 seats | Specialized facilities |
| Existing boys' hostel | Multiple | Traditional structure |
| Existing girls' hostel | Multiple | Traditional structure |

### Support facilities

* Banking
** On-campus Odisha Gramya Bank
** ATM facilities
* Refreshment
** Modern cafeteria
** Hygienic food preparation
** Seating arrangements
* Guest accommodation
** Guest house for visitors
** Accommodation for official guests
** Conference facilities

### Specially-abled friendly infrastructure

| Facility | Purpose |
| Ramps | Easy movement throughout campus |
| Wheelchair access | Multiple buildings |
| Special washrooms | Accessible design |
| Reserved parking | Near main buildings |
| Ground-floor classes | When required |
| Special seating | In classrooms and labs |

### Environmental infrastructure

* Water management
** Rainwater harvesting systems
** Water conservation facilities
** Pure drinking water with Aqua guards at strategic points
* Waste management
** Segregated waste collection
** Proper disposal systems
** Recycling initiatives
* Green initiatives
** Bird feeding stations
** Special budget for feeding birds and bees
** Green corridors
** Botanical gardens

### Safety and security

* Security infrastructure
** CCTV surveillance
** Security checkpoints
** Fire safety systems
** Emergency response facilities
* Fire safety
** Fire extinguishers in:
*** Library
*** Laboratories
*** Administrative offices
*** Record rooms

### Technology infrastructure

| Facility | Details |
| Internet connectivity | Bharat Fiber 849 scheme |
| Coverage | All departments, library, examination section |
| Network points | Multiple access points |
| Wi-fi zones | Strategic locations |
| Digital display | Information boards |

### Development projects

* Recently completed
** Extension of library building
** IDP Building
** PG Block
** Indoor stadium
* Upcoming projects
** Research facilities
** Additional smart classrooms
** Enhanced laboratory facilities

## Research and publications
### Faculty achievements

* Academic qualifications
** D.Litt.: 1
** Ph.D. holders: 22

### Research output (last 5 years)

| Type | Count |
| Books published | 83 |
| Journal publications | 220 |
| Conference participations | 449 |

## Notable achievements
### Awards and recognition

* Padmashree Award
** Recipient: Prof. Damayanti Beshra
** Year: 2021
** Category: Contribution to Santali Literature
* NSS Awards
** Three National Awards from President of India (2019)
** Categories:
*** Outstanding College Performance
*** NSS Programme Officer
*** NSS Volunteer

## Student support

* Career Counselling Cell
* Campus recruitment drives
* Financial assistance schemes
* Facilities for Divyanga students
* Self-defence training for female students
* Study centers (IGNOU, OSOU & DTHM)

## Donations and endowments

The college's campus spans a vast area of 330 acres. While 267 acres were initially allocated for the establishment of Maharaja Purna Chandra Autonomous College, an additional 63 acres were generously donated by the then Queen of Mayurbhanj Maharani Takat Kumari, further enhancing the institution's infrastructure and facilities.

## Challenges
### Lack of unitary university status

Despite its historical significance and academic contributions, MPC Autonomous College has not been granted unitary university status. This lack of recognition limits its autonomy, access to funding, and scope for research and innovation, hindering its potential to emerge as a leading institution in the region.

### Government apathy

The college faces challenges due to inadequate funding and delayed infrastructure development. Limited recruitment of faculty and slow administrative processes have further constrained its ability to meet growing academic demands and modernize facilities. Stakeholders urge greater support from the government to address these issues and realize the institution’s full potential.