Established 1957 · IIT Bombay
Our
History.
The Beginning
The Department of Electrical Engineering has been one of the major departments from the very inception of IIT Bombay. The department began with fifty undergraduate students and forty postgraduate students, and three programs — Bachelor of Technology, Master of Technology, and Doctor of Philosophy.
Specialisations Evolve
Initially there were three specialisations: Electronics, Electro-Vacuum Technology, and Machines. By 1964, these evolved into three focused disciplines — Power Systems & Drives, Communication Engineering, and Control & Instrumentation.
Dual Degree Introduced
Since 1996 the department has offered a five-year dual degree (B.Tech + M.Tech) with specialisations in Communications & Signal Processing and Microelectronics, further deepening its academic offerings.
Five Specialisations Today
The department now has five active specialisations and comprises sixty faculty members, five hundred undergraduate students, and five hundred fifty postgraduate students — one of the largest EE departments in India.
World-Class Facilities
The facilities in the department are among the best in India, and in certain specialised areas compete with leading international universities. We have built a strong collaboration with industries in the past two decades, resulting in several state-of-the-art laboratories. Our research collaborators include national and international universities and research organisations.
Education at the Core
Teaching has been given its due importance since the inception of the department. Many faculty members are active in research areas related to their subjects. For students to develop into skilled researchers, they must enjoy the work they do — therefore many faculty members also offer counselling to students. A departmental academic mentorship programme further supports student development.
Leadership Legacy
Former Department Heads
The department has been led by 21 heads, each shaping its trajectory through decades of transformation in electrical engineering.
Department heads, from the founding era through modern research frontiers in microelectronics, communications, and power systems.
Each head brought distinct research priorities — from early vacuum technology and machines to modern signal processing and VLSI.