| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shri Ram Chandra Bhanj Medical College and Hospital |
| Commonly Known As | S. C. B. Medical College |
| Country | India |
| State | Odisha |
| City | Cuttack |
| Institution Type | Government Medical College |
| Field | Medical Education and Healthcare |
| Affiliated University | Utkal University (historically); later Odisha Health Sciences University |
Overview
S. C. B. Medical College, formally known as Shri Ram Chandra Bhanj Medical College and Hospital, is one of the oldest and most prominent government medical institutions in the state of Odisha, India. Located in Cuttack, the historic former capital of Odisha, the college has long served as a principal centre for medical education, postgraduate training, and tertiary healthcare in the eastern region of the country. It is commonly referred to by its abbreviated name, S. C. B., and holds considerable significance in the public health infrastructure of Odisha.
History and Background
The institution traces its origins to the colonial period, when medical education in the Orissa region was being formally organised under British administration. The college was established in Cuttack, which at the time functioned as the administrative and commercial hub of the region. Over the decades following Indian independence, the college expanded its academic programmes, clinical departments, and physical infrastructure considerably.
The college is named in honour of Maharaja Shri Ram Chandra Bhanj Deo, a ruler associated with the princely traditions of the region, reflecting the patronage that local royalty extended to public institutions during the late colonial era. The attached hospital, which bears the same name, grew alongside the college to become one of the largest public hospitals in Odisha.
Academics
S. C. B. Medical College offers undergraduate medical education leading to the MBBS degree, as well as a wide range of postgraduate programmes including MD, MS, and diploma courses across various clinical and non-clinical specialities. The college is affiliated with the Odisha Health Sciences University, which governs medical and health science education across the state.
The academic curriculum follows the guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC), the apex regulatory body for medical education in India. The college has departments spanning all major branches of medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics, orthopaedics, psychiatry, radiology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, and community medicine, among others.
Hospital and Clinical Training
The S. C. B. Medical College and Hospital functions as a major referral and teaching hospital for Odisha and neighbouring states. It receives patients from across the region, including from rural and tribal districts where access to specialised healthcare is limited. The hospital provides services across emergency medicine, intensive care, surgical specialities, and outpatient departments.
Clinical training at the institution is integrated with the academic programme, allowing students and postgraduate residents to gain hands-on experience in a high-volume public hospital setting. The hospital's patient load, which reflects the healthcare demands of a large and diverse population, provides trainees with exposure to a broad spectrum of medical conditions.
Campus and Facilities
The campus is situated within Cuttack city and encompasses the medical college building, the hospital complex, residential quarters for students and faculty, administrative offices, and support facilities. The college library maintains collections of medical texts, journals, and digital resources for students and researchers. Hostel accommodation is available separately for male and female students.
Over the years, the state government has undertaken various infrastructure development projects at the campus to upgrade wards, operation theatres, diagnostic facilities, and teaching infrastructure.
Admissions
Admission to the MBBS programme at S. C. B. Medical College is conducted through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET-UG), which is the centralised entrance examination for undergraduate medical admissions across India. Seats are allocated through the state counselling process managed by the Odisha government, with reservations applicable as per state and central government norms. Postgraduate admissions follow the NEET-PG process.
Student Life
The college has an active student community with various academic societies, cultural associations, and sports activities. Annual cultural and academic events bring together students from different batches and departments. The institution's location in Cuttack, a city with historical and cultural significance in Odisha, provides students with access to urban amenities alongside their academic commitments.