In year 1948-49 this department was established as ‘Harijan Sahayak Vibhag’. For implementation of schemes related to social sector another department named ‘Social Welfare Department’ was established in year 1955. Later in year 1961, Harijan Sahayak Vibhag and Social Welfare Department got merged and renamed as Harijan & Social Welfare Department which later in 1991-92 became Social Welfare Department.

The main objective of this department is to provide better education to the people belonging to weaker & backward classes of the society and to work for their social & economic upliftment.