Siksha O Anusandhan University

Quick Answers to the Most Common Questions about SOA University

Siksha O Anusandhan (SOA), located in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is one of eastern India's most recognised private deemed-to-be universities. Established in 1996 and granted deemed university status in its early years, SOA has grown into a multi-disciplinary institution with around 10,000 students spread across constituent faculties in engineering, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, management, law, nursing and agriculture. Because it draws applicants from across Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and the wider eastern region, prospective students tend to ask a fairly consistent set of questions before they apply. This section gathers the queries we receive most often, with verified, up-to-date answers covering admissions, fees, rankings, placements and accreditation. The aim is to help you decide whether SOA fits your academic goals and budget before you commit to filling out an application form.

The questions below are grouped by theme. If you are comparing SOA with other private universities in Bhubaneswar, such as KIIT, you will find direct comparative data in the relevant sections so you can weigh your options on the numbers rather than reputation alone.

What kind of university is SOA and is it recognised?

One of the first questions students raise is whether SOA is a credible, properly accredited institution rather than just a private college. SOA is a deemed-to-be university recognised by the University Grants Commission (UGC). It holds an A++ grade from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), awarded in its third assessment cycle, which is the highest band NAAC issues. Several of its individual programmes carry additional accreditation, including NBA (engineering), and the university is recognised by bodies such as NABH and NABL for its hospital and laboratories, ICAR for agriculture, and DSIR-SIRO for research. This layered recognition is one reason SOA performs consistently in national rankings.

How does SOA rank nationally?

Ranking is a frequent point of comparison, so here are the verified NIRF 2024 positions for SOA across categories. These figures are drawn from the official National Institutional Ranking Framework results released in 2024.

In the university category, SOA moved up to 14th in 2024 from 15th the previous year, and it improved two places to 24th in the overall category. A natural follow-up question is how SOA compares with KIIT, its best-known neighbour in Bhubaneswar. The table below sets the two side by side on NIRF 2024 figures.

On these three widely watched metrics SOA placed ahead of KIIT in 2024, though students should note that KIIT is a larger institution and the two differ in scale, fees and programme mix. Rankings are only one input; placements, fees and the specific course you want all matter more for an individual decision.

Which courses and institutes does SOA offer?

Applicants often ask what they can actually study at SOA and which constituent institute runs each programme. The university is organised into specialised faculties, each with its own campus identity. The most prominent are the Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER) for engineering, and the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital (IMS and SUM Hospital) for MBBS and allied health sciences. Other faculties cover management, pharmaceutical sciences, nursing, dental sciences, law and agriculture.

A related question concerns the SUM Hospital, which underpins the medical programmes. The hospital provides a large teaching base for MBBS and nursing students and operates free outdoor medical services along with roughly 1,500 free beds, giving clinical students substantial real-world exposure during their training.

How do I get admission to SOA?

The admissions process is the single most asked-about topic, and the answer depends on the course. SOA conducts its own entrance test, the SOA Admission Test (SAAT), for a wide range of programmes. However, it also accepts national-level entrance scores for several courses, so candidates do not always need to sit SAAT.

For 2026 intake, SAAT application forms are open and admissions are running across courses. Students applying for MBBS should note that the medical seat allotment is governed strictly by NEET UG ranks and the associated counselling rounds, not by any university-specific test. After the entrance stage, all candidates go through counselling and document verification before a seat is confirmed.

What are the fees at SOA University?

Cost is understandably a decisive factor, and fees vary widely by programme. The figures below are indicative annual or total fees compiled from current listings; always confirm the exact amount in the official fee structure for your specific course and category before paying, as fees are revised periodically and depend on hostel and accommodation choices.

As the table shows, engineering at SOA sits in the mid-range for private deemed universities, while MBBS, like medical programmes everywhere, is a substantially larger financial commitment. Hostel charges depend on room sharing and air-conditioning, so the total annual outgo can shift by a lakh or more based on your accommodation preference.

What are placements like at SOA?

Placement outcomes, especially for engineering and management students, are among the most common queries. In the 2024 placement season, SOA reported a highest package of INR 43 LPA, with around 210 companies participating in campus recruitment. Recruiters spanned consulting, IT services, manufacturing and e-commerce.

When reading any placement figure, remember that the highest package is achieved by a small number of top performers and is not the typical outcome. Median and average salaries, branch-wise placement percentages and the split between core and IT roles give a more realistic picture, so ask the university or your chosen department for course-specific data during admission counselling.

Is SOA a good choice for me?

The final question students wrestle with is whether SOA is the right fit overall. The honest answer depends on your priorities. If you value strong national rankings (14th among universities in NIRF 2024), an A++ NAAC grade, an integrated teaching hospital for medical and nursing students, and a broad spread of disciplines on one campus in a relatively affordable city, SOA is a compelling option in eastern India. If your decision hinges purely on lowest cost or on a single specialised programme offered better elsewhere, compare the specific course fees and outcomes carefully before committing. Use the sections above as a starting checklist, verify the latest fee and admission details on official channels for your exact programme and category, and weigh rankings alongside placements and your own career goals rather than in isolation.