1960

August 6, founded as Karnataka Regional Engineering College (KREC) with 3 UG undergraduate programs (Civil, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering) under affiliation to University of Mysore

1965

Chemical Engineering and Materials and Metallurgical Engineering undergraduate programs started

1966

Industrially oriented Postgraduate (PG) programs in Industrial Structures and Marine Structures introduced

1967

Grant of UN special fund and UNESCO International experts' assistance in development of Postgraduate programs

1971

UG program in Mining Engineering introduced

1980

Affiliation shifted from Mysore University Mangalore University

1984

UG Program in Mining Engineering introduced

1985

UG Program in Computer Engineering initiated

1988

Master of Computer Application program started

1990

PG program in Materials Engineering started

1992

Introduction of PG program in Power and Energy Systems

1993

Project IMPACT funded by Swiss Agency for Development & Cooperation, World Bank and GOI

1994

1. Grant of MHIRD Centre of Excellence Funding
2. Grant of UK-India REC project under IT theme
3. KREC STEP and R&D Centre for Clay Roofing Tiles, Bricks and other Ceramics established
4. Introduction of PG program- Industrial Pollution Control

1995

Central Computer Center Established in Independent Building

1996

PG Program in Computer Science and Engineering introduced

1998

1. Electronics Education Network Project funded by Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation
2. Special Manpower Development in VLSI Design funded by Ministry of Communication and Information technology, GOI

1999

Campus wide Optical Fiber Network installed

2000

UG Program in Information Technology introduced

2002

Elevated to Status of Deemed University and renamed as National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK)

2003

August 6, First Annual Convocation of NITK

2004

Lead Institution status for World Bank funded Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP)

2006

Launch of Centre of Excellence & Relevance (CORE) in Industrial Biotechnology in Chemical Engineering Department funded by TIFAC, DST, Govt. of India

2007

1. Declared as Institute of National Importance through NIT Act of Parliament (15th August 2007)
2. Introduction of PG Program - Industrial Biotechnology

2008

1. All academic programs accredited by National Board of Accreditation (NBA)
2. Recognized as major QIP centre for all PG and PhD programs
3. Centre of Yogic Sciences & Continuing Education opened in a new building

2009

1. Successful implementation of World Bank Sponsored TEQIP Phase -I program   
2. Mentoring of new institute, NIT - Goa was entrusted to NITK Surathkal by MHRD
3. 50th foundation day celebrated
4. Inauguration of Golden Jubilee celebrations
5. 24th Indian Engineering Congress & 39th Annual Convention Organized
6. Global Alumni meet was held at NITK Surathkal
7. Induction of one BOSCH sponsored Professorial Chair in Mechanical Engineering

2010

1. Prepared a strategic plan for the 2010-2020
2. Induction of one Ministry of Steel sponsored Professorial Chair in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
3. New teaching Block inaugurated

2011

1. 1512 seater Mega Hostel was inaugurated
2. Initiation of World Bank Sponsored TEQIP Phase - II program
3. New Mechanical Engineering building block inaugurated
4. New Science block was inaugurated
5. Vehicular underpass across National Highway 66 inaugurated
6. 33 KVA substation was commissioned
7. Global Alumni meet was held at Bangalore

2012

1. 347 seater New ladies block was inaugurated
2. All India admissions for UG programs to all NIT's under Central Counseling Board (CCB) was successfully coordinated by NITK
3. Global Alumni meet held at Dubai