Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

[Samridhi Singla]

About Us

Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is one of the 23 IITs created to be Centres of Excellence for training, research, and development in science, engineering, and technology in India.

Established as College of Engineering in 1961, the Institute was later declared as an Institution of National Importance under the "Institutes of Technology (Amendment) Act, 1963" and was renamed as "Indian Institute of Technology Delhi." It was then accorded a Deemed University's status with powers to decide its academic policy, conduct its examinations, and award its degrees.

Since its inception, over 48000 have graduated from IIT Delhi in various disciplines, including Engineering, Physical Sciences, Management, and Humanities & Social Sciences. Of these, nearly 5070 received Ph.D. degrees—the number of students who graduated with B.Tech. The degree is over 15738. The rest obtained a Master's Degree in Engineering, Sciences and Business Administration. These alumni today work as scientists, technologists, business managers, and entrepreneurs. Several alumni have moved away from their original disciplines and have taken to administrative services, active politics, or NGOs. In doing so, they have contributed significantly to building this nation and industrialization around the world.

History of the Institute

The concept of the IITs was first introduced in a report in the year 1945 by Sh. N.M.Sircar, then a member of Education on Viceroy's Executive Council. Following his recommendations, the first Indian Institute of Technology was established in the year 1950 in Kharagpur. In his report, Shri Sircar had suggested that such Institutes should also be started in different parts of the country. Having accepted these recommendations of the Sircar Committee, the Government decided to establish more Institutes of Technology with the assistance of friendly countries who were prepared to help. The first offer of help came from USSR, who agreed to collaborate to establish an Institute through UNESCO at Bombay. The Institutes of Technology followed this at Madras, Kanpur, and Delhi with West Germany, the USA, and the U.K., respectively. Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati was established in 1995, and the University of Roorkee was converted into an IIT in 2001.

The Government of India negotiated with the British Government for collaboration in setting up an Institute of Technology at Delhi. The British Government agreed in principle to such a partnership but was inclined initially to start modestly. Therefore, it was decided that a College of Engineering & Technology should be established in Delhi with their assistance. A trust called the Delhi Engineering College Trust was established with the U.K. Government and the Federation of British Industries in London. Later H.R.H. Prince Philips, Duke of Edinburgh, during his visit to India, laid the foundation stone of the College at Hauz Khas on January 28, 1959.

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