Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee was established as the first engineering college in British India in 1847 as the Roorkee College. Later it was renamed as the Thomason College in 1854 and following the independence of India in 1947, it was given the status of university in 1948 by the Province of Uttar Pradesh owing to its potential and performance as a technical institute in post-independent India. The then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru elevated the college status to the level of the university. Since its establishment, IIT Roorkee has been playing a vital role in technical education and pursuing methods of research. Currently, it is ranked as one of the best technical institutions in the world for its contribution in many sectors and it has also been a trendsetter in the area of education and research and completed its sesquicentennial anniversary (150th year) of 1996.
The university has secured the first rank in the architecture category and seventh in the research category in the NIRF 2021 Ranking. Furthermore, it has secured 14th position in management, 6th position in engineering and 7th position in the overall category of the NIRF 2021 Ranking, while it had secured 12th position in Management, 6th position in Engineering and 9th position in the overall category of the NIRF 2020 Rankings. In 2001 the Parliament of India declared IIT Roorkee as an “Institute of national importance” adding one more jewel to the crown of the University. The university offers bachelor and postgraduate programmes in engineering, science, architecture and applied science streams and has a facility for doctoral work research in its research centres. In total, IIT Roorkee offers 105 programmes at UG, PG and docotral levels.
The university is located at Roorkee, Uttarakhand. The nearest railway station is Roorkee Railway Station. It is located 1.9 km away from the campus. With a distance of 68.2 km, Dehradun Airport is the nearest airport to the varisty. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee is situated 1.5 km away from the Roorkee Bus Stand. Students can reach the Indin Insitute of Technology Roorkee via cab or bus.
IIT Roorkee has 10 hostels for the boys. The hostels are connected with Wi-Fi with deep internet connectivity all over the campus hostel and canteens which are available for midnight snacks. Hostels provide clean and aesthetic environments.