The Department of Economics was started in the year 1954. Dr. V.Shanmugasundaram, former Vice-Chancellor, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University was the founder Head of the Department of Economics, succeeded by Prof. U.K.Menon (1958-1980). Under the able guidance of Prof. Dr. V.Loganathan, former Head of the Department (1980-1992), the Department became the Post Graduate Department in the Year 1980. The Department is around six decades old and it has been conducting P.G. Course for three decades.
In 1991, Dr. V.Loganathan, obtained recognition to guide research leading to Ph.D. on Part-Time basis and guided three Ph.D. candidates successfully. Subsequently, Dr. S.Dhanasekaran (1992-2001) and Prof. T.S.Gopinath (2001-2003) headed the Department for nine years and two years respectively.
Dr. A.Gunasekaran, also, a former Head of this Department guided 18 Ph.D. candidates successfully.
In the year 2003, University Madras has recognized this Post Graduate Department of economics as a Research Centre to conduct research leading to the award of degree Ph.D. both under Full-Time and Part Time modes.
The faculty members are extremely capable and their participations in Indian Economic Conference and Tamil Nadu Economic Conference were of regular activity. They also participate in seminars (national and international) and the presentations that they make, result in publications in journals and chapters in books.