Bhadrak College was established on 6th July, 1948 in Bhadrak town with  the initiative of some benevolent personalities like Dr. Harekrushna Mahatab, a noted politician, ex-Chief Minister of Orissa and ex-Governor of Maharastra, Narendra Prasad Das, a lawyer of repute, Chhakadi Mohanty, an eminent resident of the near by village Jagannathpur, Mr. Sirajuddin, a well - known mines owner and a host of others. With a modest yet confident beginning, the College has traversed a long way. At first, the college was affiliated to Utkal University for Intermediate Arts only. Intermediate Science classes were started in 1954 - 55. Degree courses in Humanities and Science were introduced in 1951 and 1960-61 respectively.

The college entered upon a new phase of development after remaining under the private management for a long period of twenty-three years. It was taken over by the state Govt. in the year 1971. Under Govt. management it is  making headway in all directions. At present the college has 22 departments and imparts Honours teaching in as many as 22 subjects, such as English, Economics, History, Political Science, Education, Psychology, Home Science, Sociology, Philosophy, Oriya, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology Statistics, Geology, Computer Science and Commerce, Computer Science Honours is the only Self - financing subject & B.C.A. is available in the college. With the opening of P.G. classes in various subjects such as Economics (1979), Commerce (1985), Urdu (1990), English and Chemistry (1993) and Political Science (1994), Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, Education, History, Sanskrit, App. Physics, App. Chemistry and Microbiology.  the college has carved out a niche for itself in the academic echelons of the state. Conferment of autonomy in01.04. 2002 opened up new opportunities and challenges and the college rose to the occasion by capitalizing on the benefits of the autonomy.

The college provides Joint Venture computer Education programme in collaboration with 'Computer point' for the bona fide students of the college. It also has IGNOU study centre, which started functioning in 1999. It otters programmes like BDP,(BA&BCOM) MARD/ PGDRD, CIT, CRCS, CFN, DNHE,BAG, BCOMG, BAECH, BAEGH, BAHIH, BAHDH, BAPAH, BAPSH, BASOH, MAH, MHD, MSO, MEC,MEG, MPS,MCOM,  etc. The courses are available to the public and students as well .The O.S.O.U. study centre is started from 2016.It provides professional and vocational education for better employability of the students in job market.