School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies-Mahatma Gandhi University was established in 1983.

as one of the founding departments of Mahatma Gandhi University.

The Department started the Master of Arts program in Gandhian Studies employing the services of part-time faculty in 1984

. The University sanctioned an additional post in 1990 taking the faculty strength to eight.

The School of Gandhian Thought and Development Studies has been selected by the UGC for Special Assistance Programm (SAP) for 2004-2009.