Political Science was taught as of the combined M.A Course in more then one social science discipline right from 1950 in the University. A full-fledged Department of political Science was established in 1959, with late Prof.F.S.Halappa and Prof.K.Ragavendra Rao.
The first batch of M.A students from the Department came out in 1961. Subsequently, Dr.A.M.Rajasekhariah Dr.K.V.Vishwanathaiah,Dr.R.T.Jangam,Dr.Mallappa Amaravati and Shri Shivaiah joined the department and worked during the initial years. After 1967 the department steadily grew, despite a few of those who laid the academic foundation to the department left in search of better prospects. After feefty years of fruitful existence the department today is having five faculty members with diversified specialization in party Politics, Foreign policies, Decentralization studies, Political Theory, Federalism, Cast Politics, Ancient Indian Polity, Parliamentary Procedure, Regional Disparities and public Administration to guide the students. With their scholarly publications, research projects and fellowships to their credit the Department has continued the legacy of the founders and has earned the recognition of a living department with regular academic activities involving scholars from various other universities, institutes, professionals and practicing politicians. It is also known for its social commitments and social engagements in the region. Political Educations to the masses. Human Rights awareness, Visits to the villages, public lectures, University to villages are some of its well known programmes in this direction. Student’s journal, Group Project Presentation on issue of social relevance, in house Group Discussions, Personality Development programmes are some of the additional curricular activities that the department undertakes. 2009 being the Golden Jubilee year of this well known seat of learning in political science having an alumni-networking of a large family of political scientists around the word has had many academic programmes spreading for almost two years since the inauguration of the activities marking the Golden Jubilee year began. 2011 March concludes these long drawn celebrations with the hosting of an International Conference for the second time (first in 1967). As a commemoration of the department has brought out this journal viz, CHANAKYA, wholly supported by the Chanakya Alumni Association of our department and released it on the inaugural day of the conference (March 25,2011). This intact enlarges the reach of the department and is a milestone in the history of the department. Thus today the department is gearing up to stand tall amidst the challenges it is facing and preparing itself and its students for tomorrow by constantly working towards excellence, inclusiveness and IT enabled learning in political science not being shy of scrutiny from any corner of the society and living up to the legacy it has inherited.
