The Roorkee College was established in 1847 AD as the First Engineering College in the British Empire. The College was renamed as The Thomason College of Civil Engineering in 1854. 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 1949 elevating the erstwhile college to the First Engineering University of Independent India.

Since its establishment, the University of Roorkee has played a vital role in providing the technical manpower and know-how to the country and in pursuit of research. The University ranked 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 University entered 150th year of its existence in one or other form in October 1996.

On the 21st 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. Thus another jewel was added into the already glittering crown in the History of this Institute.

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.
The University of Roorkee celebrated the completion of 150 years of its existence in 1996-1997. The University of Roorkee, now the Indian Institute of Technology had a modest beginning as the Thomason College of Engineering in the year 1847, and was converted to the First Technical University of India in the year 1949. This incident not only indicates the deep rooted history of this institution but is also an indication of the service that it has provided in the process of technical escalation of our country. The institution has a inimitable record of nurturing the enormous talent of this country and providing them with the best of the scientific and technical education of the world and yet never loosing its lustre. The institution has always provided the path and has been idol for the other upcoming institutions and universities to follow. These 150 years have been great years of technical advancement for our country and the institution pledges to provide much more in the upcoming years.
These details have been retrieved from http://www.iitr.ac.in/