On formation of Gujarat state on 1st may 1960, a department named Education and labor department came into existence. Social welfare, labor, prohibition, excise and employment were included in Education department. Latter subjects were gradually taken away from education and Labor Department on administrative grounds.

Since August, 1976 Education department came into existence as separate secretariat department, which looks after education including Primary education, Continuous education, Literacy education, Secondary education, Higher education, Technical education, Pharmacy education.