Certificate of Proficiency Award to successful students.
1921-1930
1923-25
Planning and setting up of the "Wireless Laboratory" in the ET Department for training and research in electronics and radio.
Courses in electronics and radio introduced for ET students in the final year — first time in India.
1928-1929
Wireless Laboratory renamed as Electrical Communication Engineering (ECE).
One-year supplementary course in ECE launched for ET/BE graduates.
1931-1940
1932
Post B.Sc. 3-year ECE course launched in the ET Department.
First full-time ECE course in India.
1941-1950
1946
ECE section upgraded to ECE Department.
1947
Coursework evaluation based on examinations and award of marks commenced at IISc.
Diploma of IISc (DIISc) introduced in place of the earlier Certificate of Proficiency.
1951-1960
1956
DIISc (PG) programs in Electronics Engineering, Ultra-Short and Microwave Engineering, and Line Communication Engineering (12 months) launched for DIISc(ECE)/BE(ECE) holders.
Emphasis on advanced level courses, project work, and industry/R&D lab training. First ECE PG course in India. IISc received deemed university status.
1958
Award of degrees in place of DIISc at IISc: BE(ECE) ≈ DIISc, ME(ECE) ≈ DIISc (PG).
1961-1970
1963
Restructuring of ME(ECE) based on the Thacker Committee recommendations.
Emphasis on Mathematics, Material Science and Technology, and Instrumentation as core subjects.
Rigorous theoretical or experimental analysis and research/design-oriented project work included in curriculum.
Course duration: 2 years.
1970
Restructuring of B.E. and M.E. programmes at IISc under the Unit System.
Credits fixed for theory, practicals, and project work.
Average term load: 16 credits.
Flexible curriculum with core courses, electives, and project work.
Five-point grading system introduced in place of marks — first time in India.
1971-1980
1971
Centre for Information Processing (CIP) set up in the ECE Department, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence (continued until 1979).
1974
A new 1-year DIISc PG course launched for sponsored BE(ECE)/MSc(Physics) degree holders.
Specialization: Digital Communication and Data Processing.
Centre for Electronics Design and Technology (CEDT) set up, supported by DOE, UGC, and SDC (Indo-Swiss Agreement), to train design engineers and technologists — first time in India.
1975
A new 1-year DIISc PG course launched for sponsored BE(ECE)/MSc(Physics) degree holders.
Specialization: Electronics Design and Technology.
This course upgraded to MTech (ED) in 1987.
1981-1990
1981
Introduction of the 7-point grading system replacing the earlier 5-point system for better grade resolution.
1983
Restructuring of ME(ECE) based on the Nayudamma Committee recommendations.
3-semester (1.5-year) programme introduced with emphasis on advanced courses and project work.
GATE qualification made essential for admission.
A new 4-year Post-B.Sc. ME(Int)(ECE) course launched.
Post-B.Sc. 3-year BE(ECE) continued temporarily.
1986
Post-B.Sc. 3-year BE(ECE) course phased out.
1991-2000
1991
Electrical Sciences (ES) Divisional
Review of ME (Int) Course;
Strengthening
and Restructuring Course work by
introducing Divisional core subjects,
specifying new Departmental Core
subjects, addition of new electives and
providing 1 full year for project work.
1996
Divisional Review of ME and ME (Int)
courses in ES Division;
Decision to phase
out ME (Int) (ECE) course, strengthening
of ME(ECE) course and launching new
ME Courses in emerging areas jointly
with other Depts/Centres.
Source & Credits: IISc ECE departmental records and archives; IRINS; Wikipedia; images from departmental collections and faculty contributions.
For any feedback/ suggestions, please contact: office.ece.iisc.ac.in
