GCE-Salem was started during the Third Plan period in 1966 and is located on a beautiful site surrounded by hills.

From the year of 2009, GCE Salem has been promoted as one of the Autonomous Engineering Colleges in Tamil Nadu.

All the Engineering departments are equipped with technologies aided by funding from World Bank through Technical Education Quality Improvement Program (TEQIP).

In TEQIP Phase II ( from 2011-2014), the institution has received Rs.12 crore for enhancing research activities.

Postgraduate students are selected based on competitive rankings in Tamil Nadu Common Entrance Test (TANCET) and few seats through GATE Examinations.