National Institute of Technology, Raipur (NIT Raipur or NITRR) is a public technical and research university located in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh. Founded in 1956 with two engineering disciplines, namely Mining Engineering and Metallurgical Engineering, the institute focuses exclusively on science, technology, engineering, and architecture.
It is recognized as an Institute of National Importance and funded by the Government of India under the National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007. It is one of the oldest institutes established under the National Institutes of Technology act.
NIT Raipur offers 5 Years, 4 Years & 2 Years degree programs. Admissions to the institute are through the Joint Entrance Examination and Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering. It offers degrees such as: Four year Bachelor of Technology, five Year Bachelor of Architecture, three Year Master of Computer Application, 2 Year Master of Technology, and a few others. It also has a comprehensive graduate program offering doctoral degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It is currently undergoing accelerated growth through the World Bank-funded Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP).
History
Foundation and vision
The first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad laid the foundation stone of the college building on 14 September 1956. Construction was completed in 1962 and the college was inaugurated on 14 March 1963 by the first Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru.
Until 1956, there were only three technical institutes in India for mining and metallurgical engineering. To fill the void and aim to harness the ample mineral resources in the region, the institute was set up on 1 May 1956 as "Government College of Mining and Metallurgy". The first session of the college commenced on 1 July 1956, with 15 students each in mining and metallurgical engineering courses.
Early developments
In 1958–59, with the commencement of additional courses in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical engineering, the college came to be known as "Government College of Engineering and Technology". Later graduate courses in chemical engineering (1965), Architecture (1984), Electronics (1985), Information Technology and Computer Science & Technology (2000), and Biotechnology and Biomedical Engineering (2003) were started.
Recent history
Following the long-standing demand for more Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) the then Minister of Human Resource Development, Murali Manoher Joshi decided to upgrade the Regional Engineering Colleges (RECs) to NITs. In 2003 all RECs were upgraded to NITs and the central government took control of these Institutes. Ministry of Human Resource Development issued NIT status to three more colleges besides the RECs. This was done to provide one NIT in every new state carved out of its parent state whose NIT was lost due to the bifurcation. As a result, this institute (the then GCET) was declared a National Institute of Technology (NIT) by the Government of India on 1 December 2005. It was confirmed the status of Institute of National Importance with the passing of the National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007, in May 2007.
Campus
Campus
The institute has a well-organized, magnificent building symbolizing the grandeur of the institute. This huge building alone covers a total area of 62060 sq.m. It is a triple-storied planned structure along with a central tower standing up to the height of 23 meters. There are 35 lecture halls extending over an area of 6675 sq.m & 13 drawing halls/studios extending over an area of 3510 sq.m. An Architecture block for the B.Arch students with well equipped with Auditorium, Architectural library, Material lab, Workshop and Studios. There are about 85 labs over an area of 11510 sq.m. The other amenities consist of a small canteen, cycle stand, N.C.C, N.S.S department, a student activity center, co-operative store, dispensary, and a Makerspace. The building is being further extended for the architecture and electronics departments.
Student housing
There are separate hostels for boys and girls: six for boys and two for girls. Each hostel has its own mess. Dinner is not provided on Sundays only in the boys' hostel. The two girl's hostels have a capacity of 250 and 150. Admission to the hostel depends upon the Joint Entrance Examination – Main rank and the distance of their native place from the institute.
Organisation and administration
Departments
At present the institute offers graduate level courses in twelve disciplines.
The institute currently has the following departments: