HRH The Prince of Wales Institute of Engineering and Technology
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UnclaimedA historic government technical institute in Jorhat, Assam, and the first engineering institute established in India's North Eastern Region.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
HRH The Prince of Wales Institute of Engineering and Technology is a technical and polytechnic institute in Jorhat, Assam, India. Established by the British Government in 1927 and formally founded on 16 January 1928, it is described as the first engineering institute established in India's North Eastern Region. The institution originated from a proposal to create a technical school in Jorhat bearing the name of the Prince of Wales. Assamese timber merchant Bholanath Boruah provided financial assistance for the project in 1922, with the aid subsequently used by the British administration in establishing the institute. The institute developed in response to the region's need for practical engineering and technical training. Its early academic focus was civil engineering, and a four-year civil engineering certificate course was introduced in 1948. From 1957 onward, the institute expanded its provision through three-year diploma courses in electrical and mechanical engineering alongside civil engineering. This development established the broad technical profile that continues to characterize the institution. Further specialization followed in the second half of the twentieth century. Automotive and agricultural engineering courses were introduced in 1976 and 1978, respectively. Electronics and telecommunications engineering and instrumentation technology programs were added in 1986. The resulting portfolio covers civil, electrical, mechanical, agricultural, automobile, electronics and telecommunications, and instrumentation disciplines, supported by departments in physics, chemistry, mathematics, humanities, and practical workshop training. The institute's programs are three-year diploma courses affiliated with the State Council of Technical Education, Assam, under the Directorate of Technical Education, Assam. Admission is based on the Polytechnic Admission Test conducted by the Directorate of Technical Education, Assam. Its academic model combines classroom instruction with laboratory, workshop, and applied engineering education, reflecting its historical role as a regional technical training center rather than a conventional research university. During the Second World War, the institution was known as the War Technical School. Across its history, it has educated technical professionals and public figures from Assam and the wider Northeast. The institute is also associated with alumni such as film producer and industrialist Paran Barbarooah. Its continuing identity is rooted in long-standing public technical education, regional workforce development, and the expansion of engineering diploma training in northeastern India.
History
The institute was established in 1927 by the British Government in Jorhat, Assam, following financial support connected with Assamese timber merchant Bholanath Boruah. Boruah had provided funds to the British Government in 1922 for the creation of a technical school named after the Prince of Wales. The institution was formally founded on 16 January 1928. Its creation made it an early center of organized engineering education in the Northeast and is identified as the first engineering institute established in India's North Eastern Region. The institute initially served the region's need for practical technical instruction, with civil engineering at the center of its early curriculum. A four-year certificate course in civil engineering was introduced in 1948. In 1957, the school broadened its academic base by beginning three-year diploma courses in electrical and mechanical engineering in addition to its civil engineering provision. Its expansion continued as new sectors of engineering were added. Automotive engineering was introduced in 1976, followed by agricultural engineering in 1978. Electronics and telecommunications engineering and instrumentation technology were added in 1986. These additions reflected the changing technical requirements of industry, infrastructure, agriculture, transport, communications, and industrial control. During the Second World War, the institution operated under the name War Technical School, reflecting the wartime importance of technical training. In later decades, it continued as a regional polytechnic offering diploma-level engineering education. The institute's departments came to include civil, electrical, mechanical, agricultural, mechanical automobile, electronics and telecommunications, and instrumentation engineering, together with foundational departments in physics, chemistry, mathematics, humanities, and workshop practice. The institute's three-year diploma programs are affiliated with the State Council of Technical Education, Assam, under the Directorate of Technical Education, Assam. Admission is conducted through the Polytechnic Admission Test administered by the Directorate. This affiliation and admissions structure place the institution within Assam's public technical education system. Its educational approach combines engineering theory with practical training, laboratory work, and workshops. The institute has also contributed to the wider professional and cultural life of Assam through its alumni. The reference material identifies national award-winning film producer and industrialist Paran Barbarooah as a former student who completed a diploma there. The institute's continuing significance lies in its longevity, its role in developing engineering skills for the Northeast, and its broad diploma portfolio across traditional and specialized engineering fields.
- 1986
Electronics, telecommunications, and instrumentation programs added
[1]The institute expanded into electronics and telecommunications engineering and instrumentation technology.
- 1978
Agricultural engineering introduced
[1]Agricultural engineering was added as a new area of study.
- 1976
Automotive engineering introduced
[1]The institute added an automotive engineering course to its technical portfolio.
- 1957
Electrical and mechanical diploma education added
[1]Three-year diploma courses in electrical and mechanical engineering were introduced alongside civil engineering.
- 1948
Civil engineering certificate course introduced
[1]A four-year certificate course in civil engineering was introduced.
- 1928
Formal founding
[1]The institution was formally founded on 16 January 1928.
- 1927
Institute established
[1]The British Government established the technical institute in Jorhat, Assam.
- 1922
Financial support for a proposed technical school
[1]Assamese timber merchant Bholanath Boruah provided financial assistance to the British Government for establishing a technical school in Jorhat in the name of the Prince of Wales.
Products and positioning
A historic public polytechnic focused on applied engineering diploma education and technical workforce preparation in Assam and India's North Eastern Region.
Engineering diploma · 1948
Civil Engineering
A core engineering discipline at the institute, with historical provision extending back to its earliest academic focus. The institute introduced a four-year civil engineering certificate course in 1948 and later offered civil engineering as a three-year diploma course. The program is oriented toward practical preparation in infrastructure, construction, public works, and related civil engineering activities within the polytechnic system.
Engineering diploma · 1957
Electrical Engineering
A three-year diploma discipline introduced during the institute's postwar expansion. It provides technical education in electrical engineering and contributes to the institute's broader preparation of diploma-level engineering personnel for power, electrical systems, maintenance, and industrial applications.
Engineering diploma · 1957
Mechanical Engineering
A three-year mechanical engineering diploma course added in 1957. The discipline forms part of the institute's practical engineering portfolio and is supported by workshop-based instruction relevant to machines, manufacturing, maintenance, and mechanical systems.
Engineering diploma · 1978
Agricultural Engineering
A specialized diploma discipline introduced in 1978. Agricultural engineering connects engineering methods with agricultural production and rural technical needs, extending the institute's offerings beyond conventional civil, electrical, and mechanical training.
Engineering diploma · 1976
Mechanical (Automobile) Engineering
The institute's automobile-focused mechanical engineering offering, developed from the automotive engineering course introduced in 1976. It provides applied technical preparation related to vehicles, automotive systems, servicing, and mechanical operation.
Engineering diploma · 1986
Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering
A specialized engineering diploma field introduced in 1986. The program broadened the institute's technical coverage into electronic systems and telecommunications, complementing its established mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering disciplines.
Engineering diploma · 1986
Instrumentation Engineering
An instrumentation-focused diploma discipline added in 1986. It extends the institute's teaching into measurement, control, and industrial instrumentation, areas associated with modern manufacturing and technical operations.
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