Development endeavor in developed areas and the same in developing areas is of great difference. Resource abundance and resource crunch have their distinct challenges and opportunities. Kalahandi, a branded name for poverty and malnutrition is now an emerging district of the country. Education being a spread effect carrier of development, Kalahandi University from its inception tries to create a unique identity in quest of excellence. Kalahandi University is upgraded from Govt. College (Autonomous) Bhawanipatna, 1960 on 1st September 2020 as an affiliating university. The University took momentum after the joining of the regular Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sanjay Kumar Satapathy on 16th April 2021.

The subjects in frame of the university comprise: Science (Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics, Computer Science and Anthropology), Arts (Anthropology, Economics, Education, English, Geography, Hindi, History, Home Science, Odia, Philosophy, Political Science, Sanskrit, Sociology, B.Ed), Commerce (Commerce, BBA, BCA). So in total 23 UG Courses and 18 PG Courses. There are 56 affiliated colleges including 5 nursing colleges and one medical college.

The distinct activities undertaken by the college upgraded to university are as follows:

1. To enhance the ethical aspects of the students and staff members, a motivational lecture series ‘Uttisthata’ was started on 14th May 2021 every Friday from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm and it has touched 127th episodes on 13th October 2023.
2. Earn While You Learn scheme was conceptualized on 16th April 2021 and poor, meritorious boarders are benefitted by this scheme. The first beneficiary became the topper of her batch in English.
3. Signifying the importance of the University through first day postal cover on 01.09.2021.
4. Massive plantation drive: The university organizes plantation drive with the forest department and the alumni. More than 10000 neem trees are there in the campus. The venture of Geloy creepers on the neem trees is in process.
5. Kalahandi University have signed 14 MoUs with KISS University, Bhubaneswar; Govt. College of Engineering, Kalahandi; Bule Hora University, Ethiopia; Odisha Biodiversity Board, Bhubaneswar; Shyam Lal College, Delhi University under Vidya Vistar Scheme; IBRAD, Kolkata; BITFE University; District Education Office, Kalahandi; Inflibnet Centre, Gujarat, OUAT, Bhawanipatna; India Study Centre and Marginalised and Endangered Worldviews Study Centre, University College Cork, National University of Ireland, Cork and Centre for Youth & Social Development, Bhubaneswar and 5 MoUs are in pipeline.

6. Webinars and seminars during corona and after: To keep the academic track and involving students in the intellectual process more than 100 webinars/ seminars were conducted during corona.
7. Mo College, Mo University: A platform for thousands of alumni produced by the institution in last 60 years.
8. Vice Chancellor’s Cup Debate (English and Odia): An endeavor for enhancing the debating and elocution skills.
9. Vande Mataram is played every day at 7:10 am to inculcate a patriotic feeling among students.
10. Anti Ragging Cell is a vigilant unit to upkeep a friendly environment.
11. 11.University School Connect Program connects the schools in need of teachers and support is extended specially in science subjects to school children.
12. Current Creators: An informal body to train the students for civil services and banking, defence and other services regularly.
13. Telescope: The university has procured a telescope to sensitize the students at large in astronomical observation.
14. G20 University Connect: A unique program ended with sitting of two students near the Prime Minister in the finale.
15. E-Pathsala
16. Film club
17. Placement cell
18. Library with reading room and e-library
19. IQAC
20. Startup Odisha
21. Gym
22. Yoga
23. Self Defense
24. Inter departmental and inter hostel competitions
25. Field Study to tribal pockets
26. Observance of important days
27. Student Faculty: A unique practice of training students as faculties.
28. Certificates in Digilocker
29. E-office
30. Invited lectures
31. Meet the personality
32. Herbarium
33. Indo-American Green University Network
34. In time result publication
35. State/ National/ International Level Seminars/ Conferences
36. Research facility for 73 Post Graduates.
37. Establishment  of   University  Employment  Information  Bureau   in collaboration with District Employment Exchange.
38. Portable Biogas plant has been established by the Department of Zoology to produce Biogas from kitchen wastes.
39. Seed bank
40. Post office, medical, bank and canteen in the campus.
41. Habaspuri, an indigenous weaving pattern was brought to life.
42. The walls of Kalahandi University are painted with tribal art by the students.
43. Food Court by students
44. History and Anthropology Museum
45. E-statue
46. Wealth out of waste drive
47. Cleaning of water tanks by students
48. Special treatment for physically handicapped
49. Pothi (palm leaf manuscripts) corner
50. Waste water treatment (conversion to manure and paving water for the green pockets)
51. Ship modelling
52. Horticultural garden in hostels
53. The NSS Bureau of the University was started on 1st September 2021 and the bureau has bracketed 2500 volunteers to work for the environment, cleanliness, participation in Republic Day Contingent, helping the differently- able persons during election and First Aid.
54. The new university started the Sports Council and the first appearance in Odisha Inter University Games and Sports it bagged 2 gold, 2 silver and one bronze medal.
55. The university added feathers to the NCC by opening Senior Division Women in Army wing and Air wing besides Army Wing Senior Division Boys and Naval Wing. The cadets participated in Republic Day Parade 2022-23 at Delhi, two cadets (one boy and one girl) were selected for Youth Exchange Program. Two girls and two boys were selected for Thal Sainik Camp. The First Tribal Trekking Camp was organized by the university with 510 NCC Cadets of 14 states of India in the month of September 2022.
56. A unique program was inaugurated by His Excellency the Governor of Odisha ‘First Aid Knowledge for All (FAKFA)’ to be steered by YRC on 29th December 2022.
57. The university has become a member of Indian Mountaineering Association and 10 students with 3 officials and 2 trainers have been flagged off by the Vice Chancellor on 12th October 2023 to track for Mt. Rudugaira (19100ft.)