Gangadhar Mohapatra Law College, Puri

Gangadhar Mohapatra Law College (GMLC), Puri, established in 1981, stands as a respected pillar of legal education in the sacred coastal town of Puri, Odisha. Named after the eminent jurist and educationist Gangadhar Mohapatra, this private law college was permanently affiliated to Utkal University in 1996 and enjoys the recognition of both the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Bar Council of India (BCI) . Nestled across a four-acre urban campus on Chakratirtha Road, it features two hostels, a dedicated guest house, a playground, and a full suite of academic facilities .

GMLC offers a rigorous three-year L.L.B. program, structured into six semesters under Utkal University's curriculum and BCI guidelines . With an intake of approximately 240 students each year, it draws candidates based on graduation results or entrance examinations, typically requiring 45% marks for general category and 40% for SC/ST/OBC .

The college is built on a commitment to academic rigor and ethical legal education. Its infrastructure includes spacious lecture halls, a well-stocked library (featuring a book bank and readings room), computer lab, moot court hall, seminar/conference spaces, and a Wi-Fi-enabled campus for research and learning activities . A range of extracurricular programs—such as moot court competitions, legal aid clinics, N.S.S., Red Ribbon initiatives, and seminars—actively supplements classroom teaching.

Over the years, GMLC alumni have gone on to careers across the judiciary, state legal services, corporate law, and public sector firms . Student outcomes are generally strong; for instance, in a recent HEI inspection, several cohort members achieved first-class results . While detailed placement statistics are not routinely published, the college maintains partnerships with law firms, judiciary services, banking legal units, and corporations, supported by career guidance and scholarship schemes, especially benefiting SC/ST/minority students .

A significant legal development unfolded in June 2025 when the Orissa High Court quashed a move by Madhusudan Law University to downgrade GMLC’s permanent affiliation to provisional status, reaffirming the college's standing under Utkal University . This verdict underlines the institution’s established place within Odisha’s legal education landscape and mandates the maintenance of academic quality under UGC and BCI guidelines