The Department of Correspondence Courses, Punjabi University, Patiala is one of the oldest and the pioneer institutes, imparting education through the distance education mode in the country. It came into existence in March 1968 as the Directorate of Correspondence Courses and was the second institute of its kind in the country. 

          Professor Bakshish Singh a prominent figure in the field of Distance Education in India and abroad was the first Director of the Department. Under his dynamic leadership and tireless efforts, the Department was able to overcome the initial problems and established its credibility. It is noteworthy to add that this Department is the first in India which started regional language as medium of instruction and examination. After Professor Bakshish Singh the Department had been headed by eminent scholars like Professor Joginder Kaushal, Dr Mohinder Pal Kholi, Dr Upinderjit Kaur, Dr Tarlok Singh Anand, Dr Jasmail Singh Brar, Prof. B.S. Khera, Prof. S.D. Gajrani ,Prof. Kum Kum Bajaj and Prof. Hari Singh Boparai. At present the Department is being run under the dynamic leadership of Dr. S.M.Verma.