Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Viral 1954 Photo Claims To Show IIT Kharagpur Students
A black-and-white picture is spreading online.
People say it shows students taking an engineering drawing test at IIT Kharagpur in 1954.
The picture shows students sitting around large drawing boards.
The account that shared it said some students practiced by placing a light bulb under a glass sheet.
However, NDTV has not confirmed that the picture is genuine.
IIT Kharagpur has not commented on the claim.
The institute began in 1951 at the former Hijli detention camp.
It started with 224 students and 42 teachers.
In 1956, an Indian law recognized it as an institute of national importance.
A black-and-white photograph said to show IIT Kharagpur students taking an engineering drawing examination in 1954 has resurfaced online.
The image was shared by the X account Indian History in Pictures for Engineers’ Day.
NDTV said it does not vouch for the photograph’s authenticity, and IIT Kharagpur has not commented.
IIT Kharagpur began operating in 1951 at the former Hijli detention camp as India’s first IIT.
The institute started with 224 students, 42 teachers and 10 departments, and received national-importance status in 1956.
- Who
- The claim concerns students of IIT Kharagpur; the photograph was shared by the X account Indian History in Pictures.
- What
- A 1954 photograph allegedly showing an engineering drawing examination has resurfaced online.
- When
- The photograph is claimed to date from 1954; it was reshared for Engineers’ Day, observed on September 15.
- Where
- The claimed examination took place at IIT Kharagpur, which initially operated at the former Hijli detention camp.
- Why
- The image was shared to mark Engineers’ Day and draw attention to IIT Kharagpur’s early academic history.
- Claimed photograph date
- 1954
- Claimed location
- IIT Kharagpur
- Verification status
- NDTV does not vouch for the photograph’s authenticity
- Institute founded
- 1951
- First-session enrollment
- 224 students and 42 teachers
- Initial departments
- 10
- National-importance status
- Granted under the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) Act in 1956