Visvesvaraya Technological University

Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), is a collegiate public state university in Belagavi, Karnataka established by the Government of Karnataka. It is one of the largest Technological Universities in India with 26 years of Tradition of excellence in Engineering & Technical Education, Research and Innovations. It came into existence in the year 1998 to cater the needs of Indian industries for trained technical manpower with practical experience and sound theoretical knowledge. The university is named after Sir M. Visvesvaraya, an Indian civil engineer, statesman and the 19th Diwan of Mysore.
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) was established by the Government of Karnataka on 1 April 1998 with its headquarters at Belagavi, as per the provisions of the Visvesvaraya Technological University Act, 1994, an Act to establish and incorporate a university in the State of Karnataka for the development of engineering, technology and allied sciences. For effective administration, four regional offices at the four revenue divisional headquarters, namely, Belagavi, Bangalore, Mysore and Gulbarga were established. VTU was established by the Government in order to promote planned and sustainable development of technical education consistent with state and national policies and bringing various colleges affiliated earlier to different universities, with different syllabi, different procedures and different traditions under one umbrella.
According to the stipulations outlined in the VTU Act of 1994, the university is situated in Belagavi, Karnataka, with its main administrative center known as "Jnana Sangama," meaning "The Confluence Of Knowledge".
The campus infrastructure includes well-equipped laboratories, research facilities, and classrooms designed to support academic pursuits. The university provides accommodation through student hostels and offers recreational spaces and sports facilities for a balanced student experience. Emphasizing a commitment to engineering education, VTU's campus serves as a practical environment for learning and research, fostering a diverse community of students focused on academic and technological advancements.
Additionally, the university has three regional centres in Bangalore, Kalaburagi and Mysore. Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology, also known as VIAT, is a research institute being constructed near Bangalore, Karnataka.
The university also has 13 Quality Improvement Programme (QIP) centers in various affiliated colleges and 16 extension centers for offering postgraduate programs. It has around 2,305 departments recognised as research centres which are spread across its affiliated institutions in Karnataka. The Jnana Sangama, Belagavi campus and the regional and extension centres of VTU at Bangalore, Davangere, Gulbarga and Mysore offer M.Tech, MBA, MCA and PhD programs.
VTU offers undergraduate engineering programs that award a Bachelor of Engineering (BE) or Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree. The university offers postgraduate programs that lead to Master of Technology (MTech), Master of Architecture (MArch) Master of Science (MSc) by research, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Computer Applications (MCA) and doctorate (PhD). The MSc and PhD are research degrees while the rest are taught degrees.
The university has 12 undergraduate boards which offer Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) programs and one undergraduate board which offers Bachelor of Architecture (BArch) course:
The Architecture board offers the BArch course.
The university has 11 postgraduate boards which offer Master of Technology (M.Tech.) programs:
The university offers admissions at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Admissions for B.Tech. programmes, candidates must qualify KCET examination, COMEDK or JEE Main. The candidates seeking B.Arch. admissions must qualify for the NATA or any aptitude test in Architecture conducted by the Competent Authority of the Central / State Government or JEE Paper-II examination. The Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi admissions to M.Tech. and M.Arch programmes are through GATE/PGCET. The college accepts KMAT/PGCET scores for M.B.A. and M.C.A. admissions.
Visvesvaraya Technological University accomplished its primary task of setting a common syllabus across the state in 1998. The university regularly revises the syllabus keeping in view technology upgrades around the world. The syllabus has been updated in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2021. VTU adopted a Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for students admitted to the university from the academic year 2015–2016. The CBCS provides a choice for students to select from the prescribed courses (i.e. core, elective, foundation and mandatory non-credit courses). As part of the new CBCS scheme, VTU also moved to a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) grading system from the previous system of awarding percentage and class to students. VTU has also made an internship of eight weeks mandatory for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students in affiliated colleges.
For students matriculating since the academic year 2015–2016, VTU adopts an absolute grading system wherein the marks are converted to grades, and every semester results are declared with a semester grade point average (SGPA) and a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). To obtain a degree, in addition to clearing all the subjects, a student must also obtain a minimum CGPA of five (5.0).
Prior to the introduction of the Choice Based Credit System, students were awarded a percentage and a class, as defined:
The university has signed MoUs with multinational corporations like IBM, Intel Asia Electronics Inc., Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd., Bangalore, Nokia, Bosch Rexroth and Microsoft to improve the industry interactions for students and teachers.
VTU is also a member of Association of Indian Universities and Association of Commonwealth Universities.
Internationally, Visvesvaraya Technological University was ranked No. 143 in Asian University Rankings - Southern Asia 2024 and 501–550 in Asia by the QS World University Rankings.
The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranked it 52nd in the engineering ranking of 2023 and 69th in 2024.
Visvesvaraya Technological University ranked No. 53 in engineering category by IIRF in 2023.
VTU is administered by its Executive Council and Academic Senate whose members are selected from the academic community and government officials. The present chancellor is Sri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka state and the vice-chancellor is Dr. S. Vidyashankar.
As of 2021, there are 219 colleges affiliated to the university (107 under Bangalore region, 34 under Belagavi region, 18 under Gulbarga region and 60 under Mysore region). The colleges are categorised as 'government', 'private-aided' and 'private-unaided' based on the type of funding. A few colleges may be classified as 'minority linguistic' and 'minority religious' based on the minority status of languages and religions. Further, these colleges are placed under 'autonomous' and 'non-autonomous' category of institutions granted by UGC. There are 25 autonomous colleges affiliated to VTU.
See List of colleges affiliated to Visvesvaraya Technological University
Exams are conducted twice a year for all affiliated non-autonomous colleges. Odd semester exam is conducted during December and January. Results usually published in February. Even semester exams are conducted during May/June; and the VTU results are published in June/July.
The university has signed MoUs with international organisations (such as CANEUS International) and multinational corporations (like IBM, Intel Asia Electronics Inc., Ingersoll-Rand (India) Ltd., Bangalore, Nokia, Bosch Rexroth and Microsoft) and has set up centres of excellence.
Visvesvaraya Institute of Advanced Technology (VIAT) is a research institute being constructed in Bangalore, Karnataka. The institute is on 200 acres (0.81 km) of land near Nandi Hills and is expected to cost 600 crores. In the initial years, VIAT will focus on research in embedded technology, software quality, agricultural engineering and bioengineering. Each department will function as a 'discovery-innovation centre.' The institute will offer graduate and PhD programs in the sciences.
The university annually organises an inter-collegiate cultural-fest "Yuvostava" which sees participants from all across India.
From 2024, VTU has also decided to organise, a tech fest "YUKTI 2K24". The event aims to showcase the innovation and inspiration of students & tech enthusiasts in various fields, such as technical, management, music, dance, entertainment, and artistic. The event also featured a paper presentation competition, where participants could submit their original research papers on topics related to technology and society.
Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU) has produced many notable alumni who have made significant contributions to their respective fields. Some of the most prominent alumni include:
1. Sudha Murthy: Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation and author of several books.
2. Rajeev Chandrasekhar: Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha and founder of BPL Mobile Communications.
3. Narayana Murthy: Indian billionaire businessman and co-founders of Infosys.
4. Anil Kumble: Former captain of the Indian cricket team and a renowned cricket commentator.
5. Balen Shah: Nepalese rapper, music composer, poet, structural engineer and politician.
6. Krishna Nayaka: Member of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly of Hadagali Assembly constituency.