The Department of Sanskrit and Prakrit came into existence right from the inception of the college, in 1917. Prof. A. B. Gajendragadkar an eminent scholar was the first Professor of Sanskrit. A course of Yoga Studies was introduced in 1994 in Karnatak College and it was attached to the Department. Yoga Studies was taught for B.A. and B.Sc, as one of the optional subjects During this period, Dr.C.S. Naikar was the Head of the Department. Under the headship of Prof. M. N. Joshi for nearly twenty years, the department exercised a remarkable influence on students by conducting good functions like Sanskrit-Day, Vishwabharati (Poem reading of other languages), Kalidasa-Jayanti, Geeta-Jayanti, Studytour, Kaumudi Mahotsava (Moonlight Dinner) and Vayu Vihara every year Some of these events are continuing by the Department even today. After the retirement of Prof. L.V Panchamukhi in 2014, Dr Rajani H. took charge as the Head of the Department. As an organizing secretary, she has successfully conducted seminars, workshops and exhibitions, which include UGC Sponsored Two-day National Seminar on "Yoga Philosophy and Practice: Its Global Approach" held on 22 and 23 of August 2015,and One-day National Seminar on "Fine Arts in Sanskrit and Praakrit Literature" held on 20th December, 2017 in Collaboration with Karnataka Sanskrit University, Bengaluru. .