About Indian Institute Of Technology, Roorkee

Indian Institute of Technology - Roorkee is among the foremost of institutes of national importance in higher technological education and in engineering, basic and applied research. Since its establishment, the Institute has played a vital role in providing the technical manpower and know-how to the country and in pursuit of research. The Institute ranks amongst the best technological institutions in the world and has contributed to all sectors of technological development. It has also been considered a trend-setter in the area of education and research in the field of science, technology, and engineering.

The Institute has completed 150th year of its existence in October 1996. On September 21, 2001, an Ordinance issued by the Government of India declared it as the nation's seventh Indian Institute of Technology. The Ordinance is now converted into an Act by the Parliament to make IIT, Roorkee as an "Institution of National Importance".

The Institute offers Bachelor's Degree courses in 10 disciplines of Engineering and Architecture and Postgraduate's Degree in 55 disciplines of Engineering, Applied Science, Architecture and planning. The Institute has facility for doctoral work in all Departments and Research Centres.

The Institute admits students to B.Tech. and B.Arch. courses through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) conducted at various centres all over India.

The Roorkee College was established in 1847 as the First Engineering College in India. It has its origins in a class started in 1845 to train local youth in engineering to assist in public works then beginning. The College was renamed in 1854 as The Thomason College of Civil Engineering after Sir James Thomason, chief engineer in charge of the Ganga Canal, and Lieutenant Governor 1843-53. It was given the status of University by Act No. IX of 1948 of the United Province (Uttar Pradesh) in recognition of its performance and its potential and keeping in view the needs of post-independent India. Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, presented the Charter in November 1947 elevating the erstwhile college to the First Engineering University of Independent India.

On the 21 September 2001, the University was declared an institute of national importance, by passing a bill in the parliament, changing its status from University of Roorkee to Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.

Bachelor's Degree courses are offered in 10 disciplines in Engineering and Architecture; 55 Postgraduate Degree courses are offered in Engineering, Applied Science and Architecture and planning. The Institute has facility for doctoral work in all Departments and Research Centers.

The IIT admits students to B.Tech. and B.Arch. courses through the IIT-JEE. conducted at various centers all over India. University of Roorkee has been instrumental in creating the engineering pool in india during the British Rule when engineering education was introduced in just a few commonwealth countries. Started with a vision of providing engineering support in the development and maintenance of Ganga Canal, this pioneer institute has become one of the most elite and highly selective technical universities in India.