National Institute of Technology, Rourkela in Odisha, INDIA (NIT) (Hindi: राष्ट्रीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान, रौरकेला), formerly known as the Regional Engineering College Rourkela (REC Rourkela), is a publicly funded engineering and technology university located in the city of Rourkela, Odisha, India. It was established in the year 1961 by a joint undertaking of the government of India and the government of Odisha. Today it is one of the 30 National Institutes of Technology in India and is recognized as an Institute of National Importance. It has consistently been ranked among the top engineering institutes in the country, most recently being placed twelfth overall in a ranking of Indian Engineering Institutes by DataQuest. NIT Rourkela was established in 1961 under the then Chief Minister of Orissa, Biju Patnaik and its foundation stone was laid by the then Prime Minister Of India, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to cater to the country's need for growing manpower skilled in the areas of technology.