The Department of Sociology and Social Work, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla was established in the year 1989. The formal teaching program started with the admission of 30 students enrolled in Masters in Sociology on September 12, 1989. Since then the Department has made consistent efforts to carve a niche for itself in the world of Sociology. In the year 2003, the department started another post graduate course, Masters in Social Work. The objective of the course is to impart scientific knowledge about the discipline of social work, equip the young social work professionals with innovative skills, scientific aptitude and creativity. The Department also encompasses the scholarly research in a variety of different areas that are the concerns of sociology and social work. Our thrust areas are Dynamics and Processes of Socio-Economic Development of Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe and Other Disadvantaged Groups with Special Reference to Himachal Pradesh, Emerging Trends and Changes in Social Structure and Its Impact on Social Institutions. M.Phil and Ph.D programmes in Sociology are also running successfully where dozens of scholars are awarded their degree every year. Foreign students and students from other states and from different strata, region and socio-economic background seek admission in the department. Our students are serving all across the nation at different platforms like teaching, research, administration, politics etc. and some are also serving as top government officials of our country.