The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment was formed in the year 2022 from the erstwhile Social Welfare Department and the Welfare of Plain Tribes & Backward Classes Department vide Notification No. AR. 41/2022/9 dtd. 31^st August, 2022.

The Directorate of Social Welfare (Social Justice and Empowerment Sector) renamed as Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment was put under the administrative control of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes renamed as Directorate of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes was put under the administrative control of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

The Directorate of Welfare of Plain Tribes and Backward Classes was renamed as Directorate of Tribal Affairs (Plain). The matters related to Backward Classes were merged with the Directorate of Social Justice and Empowerment.