Architecture and planning

The Architecture Course was started at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee in the year 1956-57. In the year 1961, the Department was housed in its own independent building and premises. The B.Arch. course was recognized by the Indian Institute of Architects in December 1961. The Department has the singular distinction of being the first in INDIA in instituting a Masters degree course in Architecture (M. Arch.) in the year 1969-70. This was eventually raised to an independent course of Masters Degree in Urban and Rural Planning (MURP) in the year 1973-74. The Institute takes very special care in selecting students for admission to various academic programmes with the objective of providing technical education only to the best ones.

Students admitted to the graduate programs of study at IIT Roorkee go through a process of selection prior to their admissions. The process of selection is administered at the national (All India) level or at the Institute depending on the program of study. 

GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering), The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering is an All - India Examination conducted by the seven IITs and IISc Bangalore, on behalf of the National Coordinating Board - GATE, Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India.

JAM (Joint Admission Test to M.Sc) for admission to M.Sc programmes at the IITs. From year 2005 admissions to MCA programme at IIT Roorkee are also made through JAM which were previously through AIMCET. 

The Institute offers merit-cum-means scholarship to 25% of undergraduate students. Several other scholarships are announced from time to time. Bank loans are also easily available whenever required. Financial help is provided as Institute free studentship and scholarships to undergraduate students belonging to the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Students admitted to the 2-year M.Sc. degree in sciences are also awarded merit-cum-means scholarships. A number of scholarships, teaching / research assistantship schemes provide financial support to students of M.Tech. and Ph.D. programmes. Sponsored (full-time as well as part-time), self-financing foreign students and M.B.A. students are , however, not eligible for benefits of this scheme. Students are encouraged to earn while they learn.

Prizes and certificates are given to students on the basis of their performance in curricular, co-curricular and extra curricular activities.