Rama Devi Women’s University (RDWU) became Odisha’s first women’s university in 2015 after the Government of Odisha upgraded the former Rama Devi Women’s College. The college began in 1964 as a government women’s college affiliated with Utkal University. RDWU is recognised by UGC, and the former college was reaccredited by NAAC with an ‘A’ grade in 2015. The university affiliates 49 women’s colleges across Odisha, and every programme is open only to women.

The university operates from a 28-acre campus near Rupali Square in Unit-VI, Bhubaneswar. Its academic departments, administrative offices and residential facilities are located on this campus. RDWU is not listed in NIRF or other major national ranking tables.

RDWU is known for government-regulated course fees and programmes in the humanities, social sciences, science, commerce, education and management. Graduates commonly continue to higher education, teaching, government service or competitive examinations such as Odisha PSC, UPSC and OSSTET. Among students who enter employment through placements, the reported average package is INR 3.5 LPA.

  • BA Hons: This 3-year course has 13 subjects, including English, Hindi, Odia, Economics, History, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, Philosophy and Mathematics. The total fee is INR 3,540.
  • B.Sc Hons: Students can choose from 9 subjects, including Biotechnology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Physics, Zoology and Home Science. The 3-year programme costs INR 3,815 in total.
  • B.Com Hons: The programme runs for 3 years and has a total fee of INR 3,540.
  • B.Ed: This is a 2-year course with a total fee of INR 45,000.
  • MA: The 2-year programme covers 12 subjects, including English, Odia, Economics, Gender Studies, Journalism and Mass Communication, and Psychology. Total fees range from INR 4,208 to INR 14,208.
  • M.Sc: The university offers 2-year programmes in Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Home Science, Industrial Microbiology and Life Science. Total fees range from INR 4,708 to INR 44,228.
  • MBA: The 2-year programme has a total fee of INR 24,708.
  • M.Com: This 2-year course costs INR 4,208 in total.
  • PhD: Research programmes are available in more than 15 humanities, social science and science disciplines. The total programme fee is INR 17,200.

UG applications, merit lists and seat allotments are handled through the official SAMS Odisha portal.

RDWU Courses and Fees

RDWU’s Bhubaneswar departments provide undergraduate, postgraduate, education, management and research programmes for women. Fees are regulated by the Government of Odisha. The complete fees for BA Hons, B.Sc Hons and B.Com Hons remain below INR 4,000 for their full 3-year duration.

CourseDurationEligibilityFee
BA Hons, 13 subjects3 years10+2 from a recognised board; selection through SAMS Odisha based on meritINR 3,540
B.Sc Hons, 9 subjects3 years10+2 with the relevant science subjects; SAMS merit-based selectionINR 3,815
B.Com Hons3 years10+2 from a recognised board; SAMS merit-based selectionINR 3,540
B.Ed2 yearsBachelor’s degree with 50% marksINR 45,000
MA, 12 subjects2 yearsBachelor’s degree in the relevant subject and a valid Odisha CPET scoreINR 4,208 to INR 14,208
M.Sc, 6 subjects2 yearsB.Sc in the relevant subject and a valid Odisha CPET scoreINR 4,708 to INR 44,228
MBA2 yearsBachelor’s degree with 50% marks and a valid OJEE or CMAT scoreINR 24,708
M.Com2 yearsB.Com with relevant subjects and a valid Odisha CPET scoreINR 4,208
PhD, more than 15 disciplines3 to 5 yearsMaster’s degree in the relevant subject with 55% marksINR 17,200

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

Fees for the laboratory-based M.Sc programmes are higher in some subjects. Industrial Microbiology costs INR 44,228, while Biotechnology costs INR 24,228. The MA in Journalism and Mass Communication has a total fee of INR 14,208 and is one of the more sought-after postgraduate options because Bhubaneswar is developing as a media and administrative centre.

RDWU Admission Process

RDWU uses different selection routes for its UG, PG, MBA and PhD programmes. UG seats are filled from Class 12 marks, while postgraduate and MBA applicants need the relevant entrance score. Admission is restricted to women candidates.

UG Admission for BA, B.Sc and B.Com Hons

There is no entrance test for these undergraduate courses. SAMS Odisha manages the application, merit list and seat-allotment process using each applicant’s 10+2 percentage.

  1. Applicants must have completed 10+2 from a recognised board. BA accepts students from any stream, while B.Sc requires the relevant science stream.
  2. SAMS Odisha prepares allotments entirely from 10+2 marks and conducts 2 to 3 rounds.
  3. After receiving an allotment, the student must visit the university for physical document verification and fee payment.

PG Admission for MA, M.Sc and M.Com

Applicants need a bachelor’s degree in the relevant subject with at least 50% marks. They must take the Odisha Common PG Entrance Test, known as Odisha CPET, in the applicable subject. Utkal University conducts CPET for Odisha’s state universities, and SAMS Odisha completes the PG counselling and allotment process.

MBA Admission

MBA selection accepts a valid Odisha Joint Entrance Examination, or OJEE, score. Scores from national management tests such as CMAT or MAT are also accepted. Centralised counselling is managed by the OJEE conducting body. Applicants require a bachelor’s degree with at least 50% marks, and the programme is taught at RDWU’s Bhubaneswar campus.

PhD Admission

RDWU’s research departments offer PhD study in more than 15 disciplines. Applicants need a relevant master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks. The university then conducts a written test and interview. Under UGC rules, applicants with UGC-NET or JRF qualifications may be exempt from the written test.

RDWU Career Outcomes

Teaching, public administration, higher education and competitive examinations are common choices among Rama Devi Women’s University graduates. Direct recruitment through campus drives is another route, although it is not the main outcome for this state women’s university focused on liberal arts and science.

The number of students obtaining jobs through the placement cell increased from 72 to 197 over three years. During the same period, the reported average salary rose from INR 2.9 LPA to INR 3.5 LPA. These numbers cover corporate placements and exclude graduates who moved into teaching, government work or further study.

Career PathwayTypical RouteDetails
Corporate placementUniversity placement-cell drives197 students placed in the latest year, with an average package of INR 3.5 LPA
Government serviceOdisha PSC, UPSC, OSSTET and OSSSCEconomics, Political Science and Odia graduates show strong participation
TeachingB.Ed followed by OSSTET or TETStudents can complete B.Ed directly at RDWU
Higher education and researchM.Sc, MBA or PhD at RDWU or another universityM.Sc Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology attract students interested in PhD pathways

Life Science, Biotechnology and Industrial Microbiology graduates move into research and pharmaceutical roles. Computer Science and MBA students form the main group for corporate recruitment, while MA Journalism and Mass Communication graduates seek work in Odisha’s expanding media sector.

RDWU Campus and Infrastructure

RDWU occupies 28 acres near Rupali Square in Unit-VI, a central part of Bhubaneswar. Facilities include separate arts and science department blocks, science laboratories, computer labs, a student canteen and a central library containing print and digital resources.

The on-campus girls’ hostel charges INR 24,337 to INR 30,862 per year, including mess expenses. Cultural events and activities run by NCC, NSS and youth welfare groups are also held on campus. Its location in Odisha’s administrative and commercial capital places internships, part-time employment and competitive-examination coaching centres nearby.

RDWU Scholarships

Eligible RDWU students can apply for Odisha government assistance and central schemes through the National Scholarship Portal. Available options include the SC/ST free ship, the OBC post-matric scholarship, minority scholarships, INSPIRE and central merit schemes.

Scholarship or SchemeEligibilityCoverage
SC/ST Free Ship, OdishaWomen from SC or ST categories who have Odisha domicileReimbursement of tuition fees and a maintenance allowance
OBC Post-Matric ScholarshipWomen from the OBC category whose family income is below the state limitReimbursement of tuition and examination fees
NSP Minority ScholarshipsStudents from minority communities with 50% marks in the previous examination and annual family income below INR 2 LakhsINR 10,000 to INR 20,000 per year
INSPIRE Scholarship, DSTStudents in the top 1% of their Class 12 board who pursue a B.Sc in basic sciencesINR 80,000 per year
NSP Central Merit SchemesCategory-wise selection based on merit and incomeINR 20,000 to INR 82,000 per year

Since most RDWU undergraduate courses charge less than INR 4,000 in total, scholarship support can be higher than the tuition itself. State assistance can therefore cover tuition for SC, ST and economically weaker students.

RDWU vs Utkal University vs Berhampur University

Women considering a government university in Odisha may compare RDWU with Utkal University in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur University in Berhampur. All three provide programmes in the liberal arts, science and commerce, but they differ in campus setting, student eligibility and institutional scale.

ParameterRDWU BhubaneswarUtkal University BhubaneswarBerhampur University
Established2015 as a university; original college founded in 196419431967
TypeState government, women onlyState government, co-edState government, co-ed
NAAC GradeA, 2015A+, 2022A, 2018
Campus Size28 acres, Bhubaneswar400 acres, Bhubaneswar400 acres, Berhampur
BA Hons Total FeesINR 3,540 for 3 yearsINR 3,000 to INR 5,000 for 3 yearsINR 3,000 to INR 5,000 for 3 years
Affiliated Colleges49 women’s colleges across OdishaMore than 600 co-ed collegesMore than 200 co-ed colleges
Exclusive to WomenYesNoNo

Subject to revision. Kindly check with the official sources to confirm

RDWU provides a women-only academic environment for applicants and families who prefer a single-gender institution. Utkal University has an 80-year history, a broader selection of programmes, a larger network of affiliated colleges and a stronger alumni base. Students from southern Odisha commonly prefer Berhampur University.

RDWU FAQs

Ques. Who is eligible to study at Rama Devi Women’s University?

Ans. RDWU admits only women to all its UG, PG, B.Ed, MBA and PhD programmes. Founded in 2015, it was Odisha’s first women’s university and remains the state’s only university exclusively for women.

Ques. Is an entrance examination needed for RDWU BA Hons admission?

Ans. No entrance examination is used for BA Hons selection. RDWU admits students entirely from their 10+2 board percentages. Applications, merit lists and seat allotments are completed through the official SAMS Odisha portal.

Ques. How much does the complete BA Hons programme cost at RDWU?

Ans. General-category students pay a government-regulated total fee of INR 3,540 for the full 3-year BA Hons course. Eligible SC and ST students can use state free ship support to cover tuition and related charges.

Ques. Are residential facilities available to RDWU students?

Ans. Yes. The Bhubaneswar campus has a girls’ hostel, and its annual charge of INR 24,337 to INR 30,862 includes mess expenses. Seats are limited and are generally given to students from outside the city on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ques. Which career routes do RDWU graduates usually follow?

Ans. Campus recruitment increased from 72 to 197 placed students over three years, and the reported average package reached INR 3.5 LPA. Many other graduates prepare for Odisha PSC or UPSC examinations, enter teaching through OSSTET, or continue their studies. Computer Science, MBA and Journalism students make up the main corporate-placement group.

Ques. What recognition and accreditation does RDWU hold?

Ans. RDWU is recognised by UGC. The institution was reaccredited with a NAAC ‘A’ grade in 2015. Before becoming a university, it operated as an autonomous college under Utkal University and received UGC College with Potential for Excellence status in 2010.