After the establishment of the college in 1960, this department came into being as Social and Preventive Medicine in the year 1962 under the guidance of Professor and Head Dr. E Lyngdoh ( then professor of Medicine) in the temporary building in the Ulubari area (presently Urban Health Centre under the department) before being shifted to the permanent building in 1968 .Over the years the department upgraded, going through different changes. The department started teaching undergraduate curriculum(as per MCI) since its inception. It started its services in rural areas with the establishment of RHTC at Boko (1974) and Rani (1975).

The department was the pioneer in starting Post graduate course in Community Medicine in the entire region since 1986 . Since then, the department has produced many eminent personalities in the field of Community Medicine and Public Health . The department is actively involved in the organization of Medical Camps , Health Awareness Camps in the different areas under its jurisdiction from time to time . The faculty members of the department are also actively involved in the different National Health programmes / schemes under the Government of Assam / India .