Department of Human development and Family studies (established as Child Development) came into existence in 1975 with the introduction of postgraduate programme in child development. All India Co-ordinated Research Project (AICRP) in Home Science (Child Development) further strengthened this department in 1980. This project is still going on after 45 years of successful completion of all India programme. At present faculty strength is 8, with 5 Professors, 1 Assistant Professor and 2 Scientists. Ph.D. programme in Human Development was initiated in 1998.

Till date 202 students have obtained Master’s degree and 56 students have obtained Ph.D. degree from this department. In 2003, the department introduced one year Diploma in Management of Creche and Nursery School. In January 2017, a three-month certificate course in Child and Geriatric Care has also been introduced. Afterwards, in July 2024, a one-year certificate course in ‘Early Childhood Care and Education’ has been started.

Besides teaching B.Sc.(Hons.), M.Sc and Ph.D programmes, the faculty is actively involved in research and extension activities. Several research projects have been completed in the last 50 years. A total number of 11 books, 21 teaching manuals, 20 technical bulletins and 8 research bulletins have been published by the faculty members. More than 550 research papers have been published by the teachers in the national and international journals. All the teachers, research fellows and P.G. students very actively participate in the activities of professional societies and associations.

This department is offering a course on ‘Human values ‘ for all the UG students of the different colleges of the University.

A very popular Laboratory Nursery School is functioning in the Department since 1971-72. A Laboratory Day Care Centre started functioning in the department since July, 1998 and the After School Care Programme was initiated in the year 2008-09. These three laboratories have strengthened the hands on training of the students and research in Early Childhood Care, Development and Education, besides providing care to children and fostering their overall development. These facilities are a big help to the working mothers.