1960
August 6, founded as Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC) with 3 UG undergraduate programs (Civil, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering) under affiliation to University of Mysore
1965
Chemical Engineering and Materials and Metallurgical Engineering undergraduate programs started
1966
Industrially oriented Postgraduate (PG) programs in Industrial Structures and Marine Structures introduced
1967
Grant of UN special fund and UNESCO International experts' assistance in development of Postgraduate programs
1971
UG program in Mining Engineering introduced
1980
Affiliation shifted from Mysore University Mangalore University
1984
UG Program in Mining Engineering introduced
1985
UG Program in Computer Engineering initiated
1988
Master of Computer Application program started
1990
PG program in Materials Engineering started
1992
Introduction of PG program in Power and Energy Systems
1993
Project IMPACT funded by Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation, World Bank and GOI
1994
- Grant of MHIRD Centre of Excellence Funding
- Grant of UK-India REC project under IT theme
- KREC STEP and R&D Centre for Clay Roofing Tiles, Bricks and other Ceramics established
- Introduction of PG program- Industrial Pollution Control
1995
Central Computer Center Established in Independent Building
1996
PG Program in Computer Science and Engineering introduced
1998
- Electronics Education Network Project funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
- Special Manpower Development in VLSI Design funded by Ministry of Communication and Information technology, GOI
1999
Campus wide Optical Fiber Network installed
2000
UG Program in Information Technology introduced
2002
Elevated to Status of Deemed University and renamed as National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK)
2003
August 6, First Annual Convocation of NITK
2004
Lead Institution status for World Bank funded Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP)
2006
Launch of Centre of Excellence & Relevance (CORE) in Industrial Biotechnology in Chemical Engineering Department funded by TIFAC, DST, Govt. of India
2007
- Declared as Institute of National Importance through NIT Act of Parliament (15th August 2007)
- Introduction of PG Program - Industrial Biotechnology
2008
- All academic programs accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
- Recognized as major QIP centre for all PG and PhD programs
- Centre of Yogic Sciences & Continuing Education opened in a new building
2009
- Successful implementation of World Bank Sponsored TEQIP Phase -I program
- Mentoring of new institute, NIT - Goa was entrusted to NITK Surathkal by MHRD
- 50th foundation day celebrated
- Inauguration of Golden Jubilee celebrations
- 24th Indian Engineering Congress & 39th Annual Convention Organized
- Global Alumni meet was held at NITK Surathkal
- Induction of one BOSCH sponsored Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering
2010
- Prepared a strategic plan for the 2010-2020
- Induction of one Ministry of Steel sponsored Professorial Chair in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
- New teaching Block inaugurated
2011
- 1512 seater Mega Hostel was inaugurated
- Initiation of World Bank Sponsored TEQIP Phase - II program
- New Mechanical Engineering building block inaugurated
- New Science block was inaugurated
- Vehicular underpass across National Highway 66 inaugurated
- 33 KVA substation was commissioned
- Global Alumni meet was held at Bangalore
2012
- 347 seater New ladies block was inaugurated
- All India admissions for UG programs to all NIT's under Central Counseling Board (CCB) was successfully coordinated by NITK
- Global Alumni meet held at Dubai