[2][3] Due to the growing need for surveyors by the East India Company, the 'School of Survey' was established in a building near Fort St. George on the suggestion of Michael Topping in 1794.

[5][6] Since 2019 the four flagship campuses of Anna University including the College of Engineering, Guindy were recommended to be recognized as an Institute of Eminence by the University Grants Commission of India.

However, the Government of Tamil Nadu has rejected the Central Government's offer for fear of loss of the quota of reservations for candidates from backward caste (BC), most backward caste (MBC) backgrounds.

[7] Under Tamil Nadu State Government ownership, CEG covers around 223 acres of land right in the center of Chennai.

The college has 16 hostels which provide accommodation to over 3,500 undergraduates and postgraduates.