The University of Mysore enjoys a unique distinction in the sphere of statistical education in India, being the first university in the country to introduce statistics as a subject of study (1924, Maharaja?s College). Statistics was then taught mainly with mathematics, economics and actuarial science, but its status grew fast and in 1942, M.Sc. in Statistics was introduced which won another distinction for the University of Mysore, as the second university in India to start a postgraduate course in statistics.

The PG department got shifted to Manasagangotri in 1964, and entered a new phase in its history under Dr. R.P. Pakshirajan who served the department as the head till 1987. Being a distinguished probabilist, Dr. Pakshirajan developed the department into a noted centre for research in probability theory at a time when few Universities in India were known for research work in this area. Professor N.R.Mohan Madhyastha served the Department till 2003 and was instrumental in the recognition of the Department by the University Grants Commission (UGC) for financial support under its Departmental Research Support Programme.