Dr. Archana Nayak was born on 16th July, 1947 at Balugaon, near Chilka lake of Odisha. Her father late Kshetra Mohan Nayak was a government servant posted in Cuttack. So she could obtain her education from the renowned Ravenshaw Girl's High School, Sailabala Womens College and Ravenshaw College situated in the city of Cuttack. She was quite meritorious as a student and an academician par excellence during her school and college times. She secured first class first position in M.A.

Odia from the reputed Utkal University of Odisha. She started her career as a Lecturer of Odiya literature. She earned the much deserving reputation as an outstanding teacher while serving at the different Govt. Colleges of the state. She earned her Ph.D degree from Utkal University for her well researched thesis on 'Shiva in Odia Kavya' in the year 1984. She has attended as participant and Chairperson in number of National Seminars organized by Central Sahitya Academy and University Grants Commission in New Delhi, Shanti Niketan and different places within the state.

She secured first class first position in M.A. Odia from the reputed Utkal University of Odisha. She started her career as a Lecturer of Odia literature. She earned the much deserving reputation as an outstanding teacher while serving at the different Govt. Colleges of the state.