HISTORY
OF 
THE INSTITUTION OF ENGINEERS (INDIA)
(SINCE 1920)
FOUNDATION AND HISTORY
The visionaries amongst the engineers thought it necessary in the early twentieth
century to establish in India a professional society encompassing all disciplines
of engineers. The sapling planted in the 1920 has by now grown to a big tree
and the track record of The Institution of Engineers (India) has been a matter
of pride for all our engineers.
The Institute was formally inaugurated at an impressive ceremony in the Hall
of the Asiatic Society of Bengal on February 23,1921 by His Excellency Lord
Chelmsford, Viceroy of India.
MEMBERSHIP
Acting as a qualifying body The Institute confers membership in various classes
on those whose qualifications fulfill its Bye-Laws. This is one of the sacred
privileges and the Institution has acquired reputation in exercise of the privilege.
QUALIFYING BODY AND LEARNED SOCIETY
The emergence of the Institution as a Qualifying Body and Learned Society has
not been a by-product of history. The stage was already set with magnificent preparations.
History has provided its set-up on a steady unshaking footing and the Institution
has occupied its rightful place in the gigantic thought movement of the time.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
From the very beginning the membership of the Institution has been broadly divided
into two groups. Members who are already professional engineers and members
who are not necessarily engineers but are in the way of making. This characteristic
of two-third membership has been an important matter and study of progress of
the Institution.
BUILDINGS : THE 'HOME' OF
THE INSTITUTION AND ITS CENTRES
The Institution from its 'Home' at 8 Gokhale Road, Calcutta, has been acting as
the torch-bearer and the light of knowledge in has shed has illuminated the
entire profession. All the activities have originated from the Headquarters
building at 8 Gokhale Road, Calcutta.
SIR R. N MOOKERJEE
CENTRAL REFERENCE LIBRARY
The Institution started developing its Library almost immediately after its
establishment. The will to improve and expand engineering knowledge is significant
revealed in the formation of the Central Library. Quite interestingly the Central
Library has a long and eventful history of varied fortunes which dates more
than sixty-five years back.
THE COUNCIL
The Council of the Institution is an inclusive assemblage of various professions in the field of engineering.
The Council has interpolated matters which stand poles apart measured by traditional
yardstick. During its long career, the Council has already met more than five
hundred sixty (quarterly meetings of the Council started from 1954-55) and a
look into the compendium of Council's decisions will enable one to appreciate
that there was hardly a single occasion when the Council met only on routine
matters.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
The Secretary administers the management as the Chief Executive of the Institution. He is the kingpin in the administration.
Therefore, no account of the Institution would be complete without a tributary reference to him.