Pandit   Godavarish Mishra,    the then Minister of   Education,   introduced the   Utkal University Bill, which    was passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly on 30th June 1943. On  receiving the Governor’s assent on 2nd August  1943,  the  Utkal  University  Act,  1943 came  into  force,  clearing  the way  for  the foundation  of Utkal  University on 27th  November  1943.  The University started functioning from this date   in room no. 15 of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack. The Utkal  University Act,  1943 did  not  specify  clearly  the   territorial  jurisdiction  of  the  University.