Unfinished Journey of Engineer's Bill ...

Author (on left) with Doyens of Structural Engineering

Everyone knows that engineering is about applying scientific and mathematical principles to conceptualize, design, develop, and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes. Engineers use their knowledge to solve practical problems, improve existing solutions, and innovate modern technologies. Many Engineers particularly Civil & Structural Engineers directly deal with public safety and wellbeing. Engineers play a crucial role in the Indian economy, contributing significantly to various sectors. The engineering sector contributes around 1.8% to India's GDP. Engineering goods are one of India's largest export categories, with exports standing at $109.32 billion in FY24. The sector provides employment to millions of people, directly and indirectly, supporting livelihoods across the country. Engineers are the backbone of India's progress, driving economic growth, innovation, and sustainable development. Their contributions are vital to the nation's development and global competitiveness.

According to an estimate there are over 8000 engineering colleges/institutes in India, majority of them are in private sector. Around 1.2 million engineers graduate each year. Around 2500 colleges have master's programs in engineering. Around 750 colleges offer master's degree in structural engineering and majority of them are in private sector. Roorkee College which was later named as Thomason College of Civil Engineering and now known as IIT Roorkee was established in 1847. First IIT was established in 1950 at Kharagpur. BITS Pilani as we know it today got deemed university status in 1964 after IISc Bangalore. At present India has 23 IITs, 31 NITs and 26 IIITs. Quality of graduates coming out of Indian Engineering Institutions varies a lot. Many surveys indicate that large percentage of engineering graduates are not employable. They lack basic domain skills. Quality of master's graduates is furthermore deplorable. The problem is more acute in core engineering domains including civil engineering. There are various reasons for that, and it is a matter of different debate, but fact remains that degree alone cannot be trusted for competence. Most organizations employing engineers also do not have structured/quality training programs particularly smaller organizations. Common citizens who depend on engineering services from such graduates are not sure about the quality of services being received by them. Many departments, states and municipal bodies have some kind of registration or licensing processes which is often based on basic qualification and some experience. None of them have any credible mechanism to check competence. There is also no uniformity in these provisions which is not conducive to healthy development of the profession. Despite serious sincere efforts by the engineering professional institutions successive governments have failed to enact the professional engineers /civil engineers act to regulate the profession in the interest of the public. It is a more than three decades of unfinished journey. According to the last (2021) communication from the Ministry of Education, Government of India, this matter will be considered by the National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) to be established under New Education Policy (NEP 2020). Interestingly it has not yet been established. Most professional bodies who were perusing this matter are frustrated and some of them seems to have given up. A journey of engineer's bill is documented in an article written by me in 2020 with the inputs received from Mr. Mahendra Raj a legendry Structural Engineers. He was the one who initiated and led this moment throughout his life. It was published in Structural Engineering Digest (a journal of IAstructE). It will be an interesting read for those who are unaware about this struggle.

Article on Engineers Bill published in SED (October-December, 2020) - (5).pdf

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In view of seriousness of the matter Indian Association of Structural Engineers (IAstructE) devised a very ambitious program called Accredited Structural Engineers program. Which is quite rigorous, comprehensive and competence based accredited program. It is likely to create a pool of competent structural engineers. It has potential to be a game changer. It is expected that with time it will gain popularity and recognition not only within profession but also in government. IAStructE is also coming up with online lecture modules on various aspects of structural engineering and related aspects such as project management, construction, sustainability and communication skills etc. It is expected to prepare civil/structural engineers for the accredited program apart from capacity building in general.

Booklet - Accredited Structural Engineer (IAStructE) (3).pdf

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So far It has been a difficult and torturous journey for the engineer's bill but efforts of many engineers who are still dedicating their time efforts and life for it will surely make it happen. Following beautiful lines from Rober Frost's famous poem " Stopping by the Snowy Evenings " are echoing in my mind while I am writing this piece:

The woods are lovely, dark and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

[MANOJ MITTAL, NOIDA, NOVEMBER 30,2024]