First started in 1941 as the Association of Principals of Technical Institutions (APTI), it was converted into "Indian Society for Technical Education" in 1968 with a view to enlarge its activities to advance the cause of Technology education.

It has active membership of more than 97286 technical teachers, 5,66,466 student members, more than 2345 institutional members (including IITs, IISc, NITs and other leading technical institutions), 1166 faculty chapters and 1280 students’ chapters throughout the country.

The major objective of the ISTE is to assist and contribute in the production and development of top quality professional engineers and technicians needed by the industries and other organizations.

Being the only national organization of educators in the field of Engineering and Technology, ISTE effectively contributes in various missions of the Union Government.

are well associated with the ISTE for programs relating to technical education.