The Department of Zoology of Nagaon University stands as one of the oldest and most distinguished science departments in the region. With the upgradation of Nowgong College (Autonomous) to Nagaon University under the Nagaon University Act, 2023, the Department of Zoology has been elevated to a full-fledged University Department, continuing its long legacy of academic excellence and research leadership.

Established on 29 July 1970 under the headship of Late Prabhat Chandra Kakati at the then Nowgong College, the Department has been imparting quality education in Zoology for over five decades. It attracts students not only from Nagaon District but also from various parts of Assam including Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao, Morigaon, Kamrup, Dhubri, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Jorhat, Golaghat and Sivasagar, reflecting its wide academic reach and reputation.

The Department is presently supported by five (05) dedicated permanent faculty members and three laboratory bearers, ensuring a strong academic and technical foundation. The Post-Graduate programme in Zoology, introduced in 2017, offers specialization in Animal Physiology & Biochemistry and Animal Ecology & Wildlife Biology. The Department also provides well-structured Ph.D. programmes with five recognized Ph.D. supervisors and approved research laboratories since 2017.

State-of-the-art laboratory facilities cater to Undergraduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral students, supported by sophisticated instruments, a well-maintained Animal Museum, and a Departmental Library. ICT-enabled classrooms are extensively used by faculty members to enhance the teaching–learning process.

The Department maintains a vibrant research ecosystem with thrust areas including Sericulture, Molecular Biology, Physiology, Toxicology, Helminth Parasitology, Ornamental Fish Culture, Cancer Biology and Animal Ecology & Wildlife Biology. Faculty members have secured extra-mural research grants from reputed funding agencies such as UGC, DST and DBT, while infrastructural upgradation has been supported through RUSA-I, RUSA-II and DST-FIST. Faculty members have also published extensively in reputed national and international journals.

A distinctive strength of the Department lies in its Lab-to-Community outreach activities, encompassing Eri silkworm rearing and utilization, natural dye-based Eri silk entrepreneurship, ornamental fish culture and aquarium making, food adulteration awareness, health, hygiene and sanitation programmes, ethnozoological studies and outreach teaching in rural schools. Notably, the Department hosts a prestigious DST-STI Hub dedicated to promoting Natural Dye-based Eri Silk Entrepreneurship among rural farmers.

Guided by a forward-looking vision, the Department aspires to achieve regional relevance with global competence, promote Lab-to-Pilot Plant translation of research, establish a Centre for Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, and introduce skill-based and interdisciplinary programmes aligned with contemporary societal and environmental needs.