The MCB Society is a non-registered non-profit Society involved in organization of all academic and other activities in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology.

It was established in 1968 as "Society of Microbiology and Pharmacology" when the two existing independent laboratories of Pharmacology and Fermentation Technology were merged to create a new unit "Microbiology and Pharmacology" (MPL). The purpose of the Society was to conduct academic and related activities for more effective amalgamation of the enlarged centre. In its initial days, the Society used to carry out most of its activities in collaborations with SBC (India). The first President of the Society was Prof. M. Sirsi, the then Chairman of MPL. In 1975, when MPL was renamed as Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, the Society was also appropriately retitled The MCB Society.

The MCB Society is one of the most active Societies among academic departments, successfully completing 38 years and has grown to strength of 150 members from the initial membership of about 20.

The special feature of the Society functioning is "mixing business with pleasure". The main activities include but are not limited to: conducting weekly presentations by students, arranging guest lectures, organizing annual in-house symposia, maintaining two functional lecture halls in the department with state-of-the-art facilities, arranging informal get-togethers and outings for better socializing and providing support to students in their sports activities.