The head of the post-graduate Department of History of the Sambalpur University, Dr K N Sethi had allegedly molested the girl when she was alone in her house on January 4, police officials said.
The incident came to light after the victim's father, who is a colleague of the accused professor, lodged a complaint with the Burla police station yesterday.
Vice-Chancellor of Sambalpur University, C R Tripathy, however, refrained from making any comment on the issue and said that the police had taken up the matter.
The professor was arrested, Additional Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar Panigrahi said.