Based on the experiences of the First World War, Sir, Thomas Holland, President of the Indian Industrial Commission (1916-1918), in his report to the then Government of India, strongly recommended the establishment of an Institution, which would serve the cause of engineering education and industry in India.
The Institution of Engineers (India) IEI was registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1913 in the year 1920. Formally inaugurated in 1921 by Lord Chelmsford, the then Viceroy and Governor General of India

The Institution obtained the Royal Charter from King George V, in 1935 "to promote and advance the science, practice and business of Engineering in all its branches in India". Starting with this humble beginning the Institution of Engineers (India) is now an unique professional body encompassing 15 engineering disciplines and with an overall membership of about 0.5 million.

IEI with its headquarters in Kolkata is administered by a National Council, with the President as its Head, and operates 95 State and Local Centres located at capital cities and towns of industrial and academic importance all over the country, and with eight overseas chapters. The Secretary & Director General is the Chief Executive of the Institution.

The Institution of Engineers (India) – known as IEI -is the largest body of professional engineers in the World having membership strength as follows -

The Institution of Engineers (India) is the first professional body in India to be incorporated by Royal Charter to promote and advance the Art, Science and Practice of the myriad fields of engineering and technology. From on humble beginning in 1920 it is today a multidisciplinary, nation-wide organisation with international status and bilateral relations with many sister societies round the World