The Institution was started by the Government of Orissa under the Industries Department in the year 1962 and was named "Composite Polytechnic", Rourkela. In the year 1966, the name was changed to "Rourkela Polytechnic" and again in 1968 the institution was renamed "State Technological Institute", Rourkela. Subsequently in the year 1976 the name was changed to UTKALMANI GOPABANDHU INSTITUTE OF ENGINEERING, Rourkela (UGIE).