In the early twentieth century, as modern branches of chemical science were evolving, a few visionary academicians of Odisha made a humble beginning by establishing a separate Department of Chemistry at the then Ravenshaw College. Prof. Atul Chandra Ganguli was the first head of the Department. The teaching was limited to intermediate level for quite sometime until the College moved to its present location and the Department of Chemistry transformed into a full-fledged department around 1922. 

The Department is located on the south-western side of the majestic quadrangle garden. The department, which is also known as Mayurbhanj Chemical laboratory got its name due to the generous donation by the Princely State of Mayurbhanj to initially procure scientific instruments. The building was later extended, and Postgraduate teaching and Ph.D. program was imparted under the headship of the eminent scientist Professor Balabhadra Prasad. Teaching and research in Chemical Science made significant strides, which was only due the persistent efforts by eminent scientists such as Prof. Mahendra Kumar Rout, Prof. Ashoke Kumar Mitra, Prof. Bimbadhar Nayak, Prof. Gokulananda Mohapatra, and the list continues. The Department has produced generations of chemists, who have contributed immensely to the society.