- Jabalpur Engineering College: A Glorious Legacy and a Visionary Future Jabalpur
- Engineering College (JEC), established on July 7, 1947, is significant in India’s educational and technological history. Founded just weeks before India’s independence, the college played a key role in strengthening the nation’s technical foundation. To meet the urgent need for skilled engineers to support industrial and infrastructural growth, the government of Central Province of Berar took a visionary step by establishing the Government Engineering College, which later became Jabalpur Engineering College (JEC). The college, since its inception, has had a well-equipped High Voltage Laboratory and Telecommunication Department, which was not available in any other contemporary college. Even before the advent of television in the country, a telecommunication lab was established at this college. The former has been made one of the Centers of Excellence by the Govt. of India in recognition of its contribution to high-voltage research and testing. The college also has the distinction of being the first in India to offer BE degree in Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering.
- The college’s legacy began with the appointment of Prof. S.P. Chakravarti from IISc Bangalore as the founding principal on April 1, 1947. Within three months, the college Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Electronics and Telecommunication. It also established India’s first television transmitter in 1951 and set up the renowned was officially inaugurated on July 7, 1947, by Shri S.V. Gokhale, the then Minister of Education. This rapid development reflected the ambitions of post-independence India to achieve self-reliance in engineering and technology. JEC became a pioneer in engineering education, being the first institution in India to offer a High Voltage Laboratory, earning recognition as a Centre of Excellence.
- JEC has celebrated several important milestones in its history. The Silver Jubilee in 1973 was inaugurated by Shri Arjun Singh, then Minister of Education, alongside Padma Vibhushan Dr. V.S. Jha, former Education Secretary of India. The Golden Jubilee in 1997, coinciding with India’s 50th year of independence, was graced by President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, reinforcing JEC’s national significance. Entering the 20th - 21st century, JEC expanded its academic programs by increasing the number of B.Tech branches from four to nine. The college also introduced several postgraduate courses in core engineering fields and became a recognized research centre with around 55 students registered for their doctoral degrees.
- In recent years, JEC has embraced modernization and innovation. Under the Department of Technical Education and FITT, IIT Delhi, the college established Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). These centres were virtually inaugurated by Dr Mohan Yadav, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, on February 12, 2024, during the International Women’s Day in Science event at the Kushabhau Thakre International Convention Centre, Bhopal.
- JEC’s Department of Electronics also inaugurated the IoT and Robotics Lab in collaboration with IIT Bombay's Yatra Setup Initiative to provide training in Electronics, Embedded Systems, Robotics, and IoT. This lab also offers online courses and workshops conducted by IIT Bombay, equipping students with cutting-edge skills and industry-relevant knowledge.
- JEC has also implemented strategic initiatives to enhance infrastructure and research capabilities. It successfully executed the Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP) I and TEQIP III in two phases, securing ₹ 20 crore in World Bank funding for research and infrastructure development.
- From 2011 to June 30, 2025, the college courses have been accredited by NBA at least four times under the tenure of esteemed principals Dr. P.K Jhinge, Dr. S.S Thakur and Dr. Arvind Sharma. This year, under the stewardship of Dr. Rajeev Chandak, the college is once again applying for accreditation, reflecting its unwavering commitment to academic excellence.
- In 2022, JEC celebrated its Platinum Jubilee, marking 75 years of academic excellence during India’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. On this occasion, the college introduced two new courses—Artificial Intelligence & Data Science, and Mechatronics Engineering and also inaugurated an Incubation Centre by the then Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Further marking its legacy, the Platinum Jubilee Gate was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan on August 25, 2023, symbolizing the college’s enduring pride and heritage. During the Platinum Jubilee year, Jabalpur Engineering College alumni honored their alma mater with significant contributions. They gifted a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21, a mainstay of the Indian Air Force, along with an Army Tank T 55 from Pune by Shri Vibhas Pande (Army Officer, IAF), a BrahMos missile model by Shri Sudhir Mishra (Ex Director General, DRDO and BrahMos), and a miniature warship by Shri Vipin Saxena (CEO, Swan’s Shipyard).
- Dedicated to nurturing talent, JEC recognizes academic excellence through the JECCA gold medals and the prestigious Aspire Scholarship, initiated by Padma Bhushan awardee Shri Ajai Chowdhry. This initiative underscores the college’s commitment to student welfare, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder academic aspirations.
- Today, JEC operates as an autonomous institution affiliated with RGPV, Bhopal, and is approved by AICTE, Delhi.
- The college has a distinguished alumni network, with graduates making remarkable contributions across various industries. Notable alumni include Er. Sudhir Mishra (Ex CEO, BrahMos Aerospace), who has advanced defence technology; Er. Anupam Shrivastava (former BSNL Chairman) is a key figure in telecommunications; Er Dilip Suryavanshi, (Founder and Chairman of Dilip Buildcon) Shri C.B Bhave (IAS Officer, Chairman of SEBI and NSDL), Shri K.S Sudarshan( 5thSarsanghchalak of RSS)) and Er. Ajai Choudhary (HCL co- founder, Padma Bhushan awardee), a pioneer in India’s IT revolution. Additionally, JEC has produced leaders such as Er. Sharad Yadav (Ex-Cabinet Minister) and Er. Sharad Saxena (veteran Bollywood actor), further cementing its legacy of excellence.
- From its groundbreaking beginnings in 1947 to its stature as a leading engineering institution, JEC stands as a symbol of vision, perseverance, and academic brilliance. Upholding its motto, “Onwards on Wings,” JEC has witnessed many highs and lows but has never failed to achieve its guiding principle. From the leadership of its first principal, Dr S.P. Chakravarti, to the esteemed principals of the past 25 years, including Dr Maneesh Choubey, Dr Veerendra Kumar, Director of Technical Education, Dr S.S. Thakur, Dr Arvind Sharma, Dr P.K. Jhinge, and the present principal, Dr Rajeev Chandak, all these principals have guided the college through challenges and continue its saga of excellence.
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