Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology (VNIT) is a public technical college located in Nagpur, Maharashtra. Established in 1960, it is one of the 31 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) in the country.The institute aims to impart high-standard technical education and contribute to the global endeavor of developing human resources of top-class standard through sustainable education in technology.
VNIT Nagpur is affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University, which has three regional centers in Bangalore, Kalaburagi, and Mysore.VNIT Nagpur was conferred Deemed to be University status by the Government of India with effect from 26th June 2002 and declared as an Institute of National Importance along with all other NITs.
Earlier, the Institute was known as Visvesvaraya Regional College of Engineering (VRCE). It was established in the year 1960 under the scheme sponsored by Govt. of India and Govt. of Maharashtra. The college was started in June 1960 by amalgamating the State Govt. Engineering College functioning at Nagpur since July 1956. In the meeting held in October 1962, the Governing Board of the College resolved to name it after the eminent engineer, planner, and statesman of the country Sir M.Visvesvaraya.
The prime objective of establishing Regional Engineering Colleges was to impart quality technical education throughout the country and foster national integration. The College started functioning in 1960 from camp office in the premises of Govt. Polytechnic, Sadar, Nagpur and subsequently an area of about 214 acres was acquired to house an independent Regional Engineering College at present location.
To contribute effectively to the national and international endeavor of producing quality human resource of world class standard by developing a sustainable technical education system to meet the changing technological needs of the country and the world incorporating relevant social concerns and to build an environment to create and propagate innovative technologies for the economic development of the Nation.
The mission of VIT is to achieve high standards of excellence in generating and propagating knowledge in science, engineering and allied disciplines. VNIT is committed to providing an education that combines rigorous academics with Joy of discovery. The Institute encourages its community to engage in a dialogue with society to be able to effectively contribute for the betterment of humankind.
The Engineering undergraduate programs are usually four years, while Architecture is a five-year program. The institute accepts an incoming freshman class of up to 798 students. Graduate and research programs leading to Master's (M.Arch, M.Sc. and M.Tech.) and Ph.D. degrees, are offered by the Architecture department, as well as all basic science departments and all eight engineering departments. A range of special fields of study are available in graduate and research programs in each discipline. The institute will soon offer Aeronautical Engineering. Up to 350 students are admitted to the Master's program each year. The institute uses relative grading on a 10-point scale.