The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has a rich history dating back to 1847, initially as Roorkee College, then Thomason College of Civil Engineering in 1854. It was elevated to the first technical University in India in 1948 and later converted into an IIT and recognized as an Institution of National Importance in 2001. It is a pioneering institution in modern engineering education in India.
The Department of Water Resources Development and Management was established in 1955. It offers three Post-Graduate programs (Water Resources Development, Irrigation Water Management, and Drinking Water & Sanitation) and diploma programs. The department is actively engaged in research, development, and extension in water resources, hydropower, and irrigation management, providing consultancy services and training engineers globally to foster sustainable and environment-friendly water resource management.