The Department of Statistics, University of Calcutta,is the oldest among its counterparts in this country and is one of the pioneering departments in the world in introducing Statistics as a separate and distinct descipline of study. It was created in 1941 in co-operation with Indian Statistical Institute and Presidency college, Calcutta, with professor P.C. Mahalanobis as the Honourary Head. This opened up, for the first time in India, facilities for the full-fledged training on the theory and application of statistics.

  Beginning its journey in July 1941 at Presidency college premises, the Department shifted to Asutosh Building of the College Street Campus of the University in 1945 and subsequently to its present location in the Ballygunge Science College Campus in 1964. From a modest begining, the Department has over the last sixty-one years, had a phenomenal expansion. It has continously produced illustrious students who have

occupied important and prestigious positions in institutions and organizations across the world.
  The strength of the Department, however, lies in its continual search for excellence and for its endeavour to adapt itself to the changing scenario of Statistics as a subject and to keep abreast with the best in the emerging fields.   The Department celebrated its Golden Jubilee during December 27-28, 1991 and its Diamond Jubilee during Decemeber 30, 2001 - January 1, 2002.