The Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE) is a centrally funded technical institute located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India. Established to focus on higher education and research in petroleum, hydrocarbons and energy-related disciplines, it operates as an Institute of National Importance under an Act of the Parliament of India.
| Type | Public technical institute |
|---|---|
| Status | Institute of National Importance |
| Established | 2016 |
| Location | Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Field | Petroleum, hydrocarbons and energy studies |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Education, Government of India |
The setting up of IIPE was announced in pursuance of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, which envisaged the creation of new central educational institutions in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh following its bifurcation. The institute was conceived to serve the country's growing demand for trained professionals in the petroleum and energy sectors and to support research aligned with India's hydrocarbon and energy policy priorities.
IIPE began its first academic session in 2016, initially functioning from a temporary campus while permanent infrastructure was developed near Visakhapatnam. In its early years, the institute was mentored by the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, which provided academic guidance and curricular support. The institute was subsequently brought within the ambit of the Institutes of Technology framework, granting it the status of an Institute of National Importance.
The institute offers undergraduate programmes leading to the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in disciplines associated with petroleum engineering and chemical engineering, with admissions conducted through the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced counselling process administered by the Joint Seat Allocation Authority (JoSAA). Postgraduate and doctoral programmes in related fields of energy and petroleum studies have been progressively introduced.
The permanent campus of IIPE is being developed on land allocated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh in the Visakhapatnam region, an area chosen for its proximity to refineries, ports and energy-sector public sector undertakings on the eastern coast.
IIPE is one of a small number of specialised institutes in India dedicated primarily to petroleum and energy education. Its location in Visakhapatnam places it close to major industry establishments such as the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) Visakh Refinery and other public sector entities, facilitating industry interaction, internships and applied research.