The School of Environmental Sciences was established in the year 1974. An M.Sc. programme was originally run in 1976 but it was discontinued for some time to allow for major revision. Subsequently, a revised M.Sc. programme in Environmental Sciences was introduced in 1987. Based on experience gained in running this revised package, a further revision was undertaken and starting from the academic year 1993-94, two streams in the M.Sc. programme were initiated, viz. one based on Physical sciences, and the other based on biological sciences. The M.Phil./Ph.D. programme started since 1975 has also undergone periodic changes in the curriculum. Indeed the School was the first to start M.Sc./M.Phil. programme in Environmental Sciences in the country.

The School has diversified interest in various earth, atmospheric and biological processes. Linkages between Ecological and Social processes give an additional dimension to School's interest, making the work relevant. Therefore, the curriculum has components of disciplinary areas such as physical sciences, earth and atmospheric sciences, environmental biology, and environmental monitoring and management. With such a high level of diverse research interests, over 150 students have so far successfully completed their Ph.D. programme in different aspects of Environmental Sciences.