The Tribal Development Department came into existence in June, 1976 with the objective/purpose to give special focus on the social and economical upliftment of most deprived class of society i.e Scheduled Tribes. In the field level i.e. in Scheduled Area of Himachal Pradesh five Integrated Tribal Development Projects (ITDP) had been opened viz. ITDP Kinnaur at Reckong Peo, ITDP Lahaul at Keylong, ITDP Spiti at Kaza, ITDP Pangi at Killar and ITDP Bharmour with its Headquarter at Shimla. In the year 1981 the work relating to the welfare of scheduled caste i.e. Special Component Plan had been given to this Department and thereby changing its name from Tribal Development Department to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Development Department. In May, 2002 the whole work relating the welfare of Scheduled Castes i.e. Special Component Plan has been transferred to Social Justice & Empowerment Department. Now this department is known with the name of Scheduled Tribes Development Department.