It Provides varied courses in order to equip students for different occupations, to prepare them for University education and to equip them for various cultural purposes. It examines those who have completed a prescribed course of study and awards certificates to the successful candidates. Besides, it does all other things which are incidental to the above. It started functioning in the year 1955 and is now located at Bajrakabati Road, Cuttack. The major functions of the Board are :
1.To conduct High School Certificate Examinations (H.S.C.E.) and examinations of other courses prescribed by the Board. 2.To prepare courses of studies, text books, teaching materials etc. 3.To publish and distribute/sell text books, syllabuses, lesson notes, work books and other related materials. 4.To issue certificates of the examinations conducted by the Board and equivalence certificate to the examinations of other State Boards. 5.To recognise the secondary schools for the examinations of the Board. 6.To make regulations for undertaking different functions of the Board. 7.To take care of Secondary Education through Orientation Programmes, Refresher Courses and other academic programmes.