The Department of Political Science, initially, begun at Langat Singh College in 1956 with two teachers. Undergraduate Courses were introduced in 1956 itself and Post Graduate courses started in 1957. With the shifting of University headquarters from Patna to Muzaffarpur, the Department was designated as the University Department in 1960. Many illustrious teachers of the Department served as Vice Chancellors. Dr. L.P. Sinha was the first Pro-Vice Chancellor of this University (1975-77) and Vice Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla (1980-85). Dr. Bishwanath Prasad a former teacher, served as Vice Chancellor of Ranchi University in 1980s. Former teachers Dr. Ram Chandra Prasad and Dr. Mitra Nandan Jha served as Head of the University Departments of Magadh and Patna Universities.

During the early years, Dr. L.P. Sinha served as Head from 1958 to 1975 and 1977 to 1980, while Dr. D.N. Mallik from 1975 to 1977 and from 1980 to 1994.

During these sixty eight years the department produced many brilliant alumini, who excelled in academics, administration, judiciary, politics and other walks of life. Many served as Heads of University Departments such as Dr. D.N. Mishra, L.N.M.U. Darbhanga, Dr. Bameshwar Singh (JPU).

Many alumni were elected to Bihar Vidhan Sabha, Lok Sabha and other elective bodies such as Desai Chaudhary, Ganesh Prasad Yadav and many others. Sanjay Kumar served as High Court Judge. The Department was selected under UGC Special Assistance Programme and provided Departmental Research Support (DRS) between 2011-2016.

The Department organised a dozen national and international Seminars, score of refresher courses and published many edited volumes. The Department publishes a peer-reviewed biannual journal Political Discourse since 2015.

The present Head, Dr. Neelam Kumari is committed to take the Department to new heights in teaching, research and other areas.