Engineering Council Of India
REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Registration of Professional Engineers
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Board for Registration of Professional Engineers (BRPE)
National Committees
Qualifications for Recognition as Professional Engineer (PE) & Associate
Professional Engineers (APE)
Assessment Procedure for PE
Certificate of Professional Engineer
Professional Engineers - Privileges and Responsibilities
Redress of Grievances for Denial of Status of PE
Appellate Body
Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Action
Expiry and Renewal of Certificate of Registration
Registration of 1st Batch of Professional Engineers
Fee Structure
3. Disciplines and Specialisation for Registrations
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Accreditation of Engineering Disciplines
Grouping of Engineering Disciplines
4. Development of Professional Engineers
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Organisation of The Board for Development of Professional Engineers (BDPE)
Professional Engineer’s Development Policy
ECI Standard for Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Implementation Mechanism of Continuous Professional Development
5. Code of Ethics for Professional Engineers.
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Board of Ethics Organisation.
Code of Ethics..
Strategy for Managing Ethical Behaviour.
Violation of the Code of Ethics.
Conclusion
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Engineering Council Of India
1. INTRODUCTION
Engineering Council of India has been formed by coming together of a large number of
professional organizations / institutions of engineers to work for the advancement of
engineering profession in various disciplines and for enhancing the image of engineers in
society, by focusing on quality and accountability of engineers and to enable the
recognition of expertise of Indian engineers and their mobility at international level in the
emerging WTO/GATS environment and their employment in internationally funded
projects, multinational corporations and large companies in India.
As per ECI’s Memorandum of Association, it’s main objectives are as follows:
1. To standardize criteria to be adopted for according status of “Professional Engineer” and
“Consulting Engineer” and to accord licence/accreditation to practice engineering in
India.
2. To maintain a National Register of “Professional Engineers” and a National Register of
“Consulting Engineers” who are engineering organisations employing professional
engineers where principal occupation is the independent practice of engineering.
3. To represent engineers and engineering professionals of all disciplines, at National and
International levels.
4. To act as a Nodal Body, representing India, for bilateral/multi-lateral recognition of
“Professional Engineers” and “Consulting Engineers” on mutual and reciprocal basis.
5. To develop mutually acceptable standards and criteria for facilitating cross-border
mobility of experienced Professional Engineers and Consulting Engineers among WTO
signatories.
6. To identify barriers to professional engineers’ mobility and to develop and promote
strategies, to advice and, if required, assist Central and State Government Departments, in
managing those barriers in an effective and non-discriminatory manner.
7. To establish such committees, as may be necessary, for reciprocal joint activities with
similar professional bodies in other countries who are signatories of WTO and other
related agreements.
8. To network and cooperate with other such international bodies/for a who are engaged in
similar activities.
ECI will be organized as under:
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Engineering Council Of India
Organisation Chart
ECI
BOG
Executive Committee
BRPE
BCPD
BEPC
BRCE
Secretariat
Appellate
Board
BRPE: Board for Registration of Professional Engineers
BCPD: Board for Continuous Professional Development
BEPC: Board for Ethics of Professional Engineers and Consulting
Engineers Organisations
BRCE: Board for Registration of Consulting Engineers Organisations
Appellate Body: It is an independent body that deals with appeals against
decision of BRPE, BCPD and BEPC.
Note: One or more National Committees will be constituted for each
discipline
In furtherance of these objectives, as decided by the Board, ECI formed, among others,
the following Committees:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Registration of Professional Engineers (RPE)
Continuous Professional Development of Professional Engineers (CPD)
Code of Ethics of Professional Engineers and Consulting Engineers
Registration of Consulting Engineers (RCE)
Engineers Bill
Committees on RPE & Code of Ethics have submitted their reports. Draft reports of CPD
& RCE have been circulated and are expected to be finalise in the meetings to be held on
21st April 2003. Based on the reports of the Committees on CPD, Ethics and draft report
of the CPD, systems and procedures for registration of Professional Engineers have been
developed. These are outline in the subsequent Sections.
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Engineering Council Of India
2. REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
2.1. BOARD FOR REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (BRPE)
2.1.1 Role
The BRPE is to create a core of competent engineers whose academic qualifications and
experience is at par with international standards, who can be authorized to sign/approve an
engineering design/process and supervise and certify implementation/execution of projects as per
set standards and who could be held accountable for the outcome of the engineering activity
under their preview.
This is essential:
(a)
to continuously develop the standards of engineering profession in the country by
introducing the concept of accountability in the profession,
to facilitate international mobility of Indian engineering professionals, and
to develop a data base on professional engineers.
(b)
(c)
All certificates for registered Professional Engineers, will be granted by ECI. For this purpose,
ECI will set up a Board of Registration of Professional Engineers (BRPE) which will issue these
certificates based on the recommendations of the National Committee (s) for the respective
discipline. The National Committees, established by Member Associations as per ECI norms and
with approval of BRPE, will ensure own mechanism of conducting examinations, assessments
and evaluation of a candidate and will also decide its schedule of the date, time, location for
conducting examinations/interviews for various disciplines and sub-disciplines of engineering.
2.1. 2 Functions of BRPE
i)
It will lay down a policy, criteria and standards for grant of Professional Engineers
Status including conduct of examination/tests (written and/or oral) at such intervals as
necessary.
ii)
BRPE will prescribe the application form and fee for initial registration as well as
subsequent registration as Professional Engineers (PE).
iii)
It will also lay down procedures for processing applications and involvement of
concerned member Institutions/ Associations.
iv)
BRPE may appoint expert committees to deal with cases of different engineering
disciplines and receive their recommendations.
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Engineering Council Of India
v)
BRPE will take the final decision on granting the status of Professional Engineers and
the name of the successful applicants will be entered in the National Register of
Professional Engineers (NRPE).
vi)
The Board will review the continuation of grant of Professional Engineers Status as
and when necessary.
vii)
BRPE, on grant of status of Professional Engineer shall lay down the terms and
condition, if any, that it may deem fit on the rights and privileges that the person
having acquired the status of a Professional Engineer shall enjoy and the
responsibilities and accountability that such a person shall be subjected to.
viii)
BRPE shall grant the status of Professional Engineer to a candidate only after the
candidate agrees to abide by the terms and conditions stipulated by it as well to the
Code of Ethics of Professional Engineers in force as prescribed by the Board for Code
of Ethics of Professional Engineers and Consulting Engineers from time to time.
ix)
BRPE shall issue the appropriate certificate to the successful applicant.
x)
All certificates for granting status of Professional Engineer shall have a validity for
60 months only.
xi)
BRPE shall decide the various categories of the certificates of "Professional
Engineer" and the respective period of validity thereof.
xii)
BRPE shall lay down the requirements for renewal of the status of "Professional
Engineer" and the methodology to be adopted for the purpose.
The Board shall assist the member associations of ECI in constituting National
Committees. Where there is no member association for any discipline, the BRPE may
constitute the National Committees.
BRPE will nominate one member to each National Committee constituted by member
organization.
xiii)
xiv)
2.1.3 Organization Structure
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BRPE shall consist of a Chairman and 6 Members of the Board.
BRPE Board will be constituted by the Board of ECI.
Chairman and the members of the Board shall be eminent engineers and
command respect of the members of the engineering profession and fulfill the
minimum criteria laid down in para 2.3 below. They will be deemed to have been
conferred the status of Professional Engineer.
Members of various Boards/Committees may be appointed on full time or part time basis,
as may be required. The tenure of the members shall be three years, it can be renewed so
that they can serve for a maximum period of 6 years.
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2.2
NATIONAL COMMITTEES
2.2.1 Establishment & Responsibility
 The Member Associations shall constitute National Committees for each specified
engineering discipline. These Committees will be formed in consultation with BRPE.
Members of the Committee shall be nominated by the Member Associations. Each
National Committee will include one member nominated by BRPE.
 Each National Committee shall be responsible for examining the candidates as per
specified policy and procedures. and recommending registration of the Professional
Engineers in specific disciplines of Engineering assigned to them. The number of such
Committees may be decided from time to time.
 National Committee shall consist of one Chairman and 5 members. Chairman of the
Committee shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Member Association in
consultation with the Chairman of the BRPE.
 In these discipline where there are no professional associations as members of ECI or
where such Committees are not formed by the professional associations or such
committees are not able to discharge there functions, BRPE may set up National
Committees directly.
 Each National Committee shall constitute one Syllabus Committee and one
Examination Committee for each discipline of engineering under its purview. These
Committees together shall be responsible for processing the application for Registration
of Professional Engineer and conducting the examination as per the prescribed syllabus
and criterion.
2.2.2. Examination Committee
This Committee is responsible for appointing people to set the examination paper, as per
the syllabus, for the written examination, appoint people as examiners for the answer
books of the candidates, appointing panel for doing peer evaluation by assessing the
Report/Record of experience and by interviewing the candidate, if necessary.
 There shall be an Examination Committee for each discipline. This committee shall be
constituted by the respective National Committee.
 Each Examination Committee shall have a Chairman and 5 members.
 Chairman of the Examination Committees shall be nominated by the Chairman of the
relevant National Committee.
 The Examination Committee shall decide the persons who shall set the question papers,
examiners, interview boards, and shall recommend to the BRPE through National
Committee, the names of the candidates that it considers fit for granting the status of
Professional Engineer.
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2.2.3 Syllabus Committee
The Syllabus Committee shall appoint people to prepare syllabus of discipline, subdiscipline and specialization for the examination disciplines of engineering for which the
ECI is prepared to give certificate of Professional Engineers.
 The Syllabus Committee shall consist of one Chairman and 5 members and they will be
appointed by the respective National Committee.

National Committee shall invite nominations from the Member societies of the
ECI for constituting of the Syllabus Committee for each discipline. The Chairman of
the National Committee shall invite 4 persons to join the Syllabus Committee amongst
the persons nominated by member societies of the ECI. One member of the Committee
shall be nominated by the Chairman of the BRPE.
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2.3
QUALIFICATIONS FOR RECOGNITION AS PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
(PE) & ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS (APE)
2.3.1 The Basic Pre-requisites for the Registration as Professional Engineer (PE):
A candidate should
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
be an engineer with a Bachelors’ Degree in Engineering / Technology equivalent
from a university / institutions approved/recognized by a statutory body.
have relevant working experience of at least 7 years as an engineer, of which at
least 2 years is in responsible position of significant engineering activity.
be of good character
have passed the written examination as prescribed in paras 2.4.1 and 2.4.2
have maintained continued professional development since graduation at a
satisfactory level as assessed by the respective National Committee through its
mechanism of assessment of development, experience and peer evaluation as
described in para 2.4.5 of this document.
undertake to adhere to the Code of Ethics laid down by ECI.
have made a formal application with prescribed fee to the ECI
2.3.2 Exemptions for Educational Qualifications for PE.
i. He / she has requisite qualification of bachelor's (or masters degree in case where
1st degree is at master’s level) degree in Engineering / Technology conferred
outside India that is found to be equivalent to that from a Universityaccredited/equivalent program in India.
ii. He / she has a bachelors engineering degree from an institution in a country that
has a Mutual Recognition Agreement with the ECI, or
iii. Any other criteria based exemption made by BRPE.
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2.3.3 Experience Requirements for PE.
ECI shall evaluate the engineering development and experience based on:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
application of engineering theory, standards and practices
management of engineering works,
communication skills,
understanding of broader social and legal implications of engineering profession,
and,
Continuous development in engineering profession.
2.3.4 Exemptions for Experience for PE.
i.
ii.
iii.
The candidate can be credited with 24 months of experience if he/she has a
postgraduate engineering degree or degrees, recognized by the ECI for the
purpose.
The candidate can be credited with 36 month of experience if he/she has obtained
a Ph.D. degree recognized by the ECI for the purpose in the appropriate field of
engineering.
Maximum exemption for higher education shall not exceed 3 years.
2.3.5 Steps for Obtaining the Certificate of Professional Engineer
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
vii.
viii.
BRPE will disseminate information regarding the procedure, discipline, National
Committees, fees and other details through ECI’s website, member associations
and other means, as regime.
Candidate should study the requirements of PE, including syllabus of the subject
in which he / she wishes to obtain the certification of PE and understand whether
he / she meets the requirement
A candidate should obtain the Application form, fill it, attach the requisite
documents and send it to the specified office of the to the concerned National
Committee with the ECI prescribed fee. Which will have 3 components a)
Examination fee (b) Assessment fee (c) Registration fee.
The National Committee (NC) shall communicate dates on which written
examination is to be conducted. The candidate should appear in the examination.
National Committee (NC) shall also announce the date, time and place for
conducting interview, if needed. The candidate should appear before the interview
board constituted for the purpose on the specified date, time and place.
The result of the two examinations shall be compiled by the Examination
Committee and it shall send its recommendations to the National Committee.
The National Committee, if it deems fit, may call for additional information or set
up another interview board.
The National Committee shall send its recommendations to the BRPE along with
the registration fee component, based upon the examinations and interviews. An
unsuccessful candidate can re-apply only after a lapse of a minimum of one year.
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Engineering Council Of India
ix.
x.
xi.
2.3.6
The BRPE, based on the recommendations, will decide when a candidate can be
granted the certificate. It will register and issue the certificate for successful
candidates in accordance with the procedure.
In case of loss / damage of original certificate, a duplicate can be issued by ECI
on application of the concerned PE, stating reasons for loss / damage and on
payment of such fee as may be prescribed by BRPE.
A time schedule for all processing steps will be laid down which will be followed
by all concerned bodies.
The Basic Pre-requisites for the Registration as Associate Professional Engineer
(APE):
A candidate should
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
be an engineer as defined in para 2.3.1
be of good character
undertake to adhere to the Code of Ethics laid down by ECI.
have made a formal application with prescribed fee to the ECI
An engineer can apply for registration as APE in prescribed form following procedure
2.3.5 (iii), after obtaining the engineering qualifications as defined in para 2.3.1 above
Associate Professional Engineer (APE) on registration, shall be authorized to
a. Take up practice of engineering under the supervision of a PE.
b. Undergo Examination - 1 and Examination – 2 (as mentioned in para 2.4) after 6
years in order to register as PE.
2.3.6 Data Base
The Database for Professional Engineer and Associate Professional Engineers shall
include the following particulars, namely:
(a) the full name with date of birth, nationality and residential address of the
Associate Professional Engineer;
(b) his qualifications, the date on which he obtained that qualification and the
authority which conferred it;
(c) his professional address;
(d) the name and registration number of the Professional Engineer under whose
supervision he has been registered (in the case of APE).
(e) such other particulars as may be prescribed.
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Engineering Council Of India
2.4
ASSESSMENT PROCEDURE FOR PE
2.4.1 Assessment shall have two parts:
a. Written Examinations
b. Evaluation of continuous professional development and experience of at least 7years from the date of acquiring of engineer degree status.
2.4.2 Written Examination shall have two parts
i. Examination 1: Fundamentals of Engineering
ii. Examination 2: Practice of Engineering
iii. These examinations shall be held at least once a year.
Examination 1 It shall cover fundamentals and techniques relating to the discipline and
sub-discipline. This is necessary to set minimum standard of technical ability in
application of science and technology.
Examination-2. It measures the ability of the potential professional engineer to practice
in prevailing environment. It may cover areas such as industrial and economic trends,
social responsibility and ethics, legal and contracting practices, environment laws and
technology trends, health and safety responsibilities.
2.4.3 A prospective candidate can appear and clear the Examination - 1 for Fundamentals of
Engineering anytime after obtaining the engineering qualification. A candidate can
appear in Examination – 2, Practice of Engineering after 6 years of work experience.
PE's are to pass examinations 1 and 2, and appear in interview prior to
registration. Examination-1 covers one or more papers in the respective
field of specialisation to test engineering knowledge, skills and emerging technology.
The scope of Examination - 2 focuses on engineering as a profession and is taken by all
disciplines with a major emphasis on evaluating the relevance of the learning to the
profession rather than mere knowledge accumulation.
2.4.4 Exemption from the written examination
A candidate may be exempted from taking the written examination provided he/she has
Professional Experience for 15 years as an engineer and has held a senior position in an
engineering organizations and /or assignments for at least 5 years. He/she will have to
submit a written report on the professional experience gained and it will be assessed by
the National Committee concerned and based on its recommendations, the registration
may be given by BRPE.
Those who graduated from accredited institutions and important national institutions set
up by Government of India (such as Indian / National Institutes of Technology) and
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Engineering Council Of India
institutions accredited by accrediting agencies (who are members of Washington Accord)
irrespective of date of accreditation, will be exempted from Examination-1 during the
transitory period. Such institutes were set up by the Government of India, as Institutes of
eminence. The IIT's do not fall under the preview of AICTE and as such they are not
accredited by NBA. Similarly, Government of India has recently recognised about twenty
institutions as National Institutes of Technology. All these institutions maintain very high
standards, which are internationally acclaimed.
2.4.5 Evaluation of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and Competency
through interview
The competency of a Professional Engineer defines his / her capability to perform a given
function using a combination of general and engineering knowledge and skills to
optimise the application of existing and emerging technology.
A competent professional engineers’ expected level of performance will depend upon
his/her field of specialisation. Specifically, it may include the following:

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Know the systems techniques, practices and procedures followed in management
of engineering activities and projects.
Provide technical and commercial leadership in solving and managing
engineering problems relating to the field of specialization.
Have proper understanding of management of resources, legal and contractual
issues, cost-cutting and efficiency improvement measures, safety, health and
environment safeguards, development of human resources and service to the
society.
Use effective communication and inter-personnel skills to deal with human
matters and business related issues.
Commit to abide by the established professional code of ethics,
The major emphasis shall be on evaluating the relevance of learning to the profession
rather than mere knowledge accumulation. The evaluation will be carried out by the
National Committee concerned. It shall also require the candidate for Professional
Engineer to appear for interview (where the identification of the applicants will also be
verified) prior to award of registration; however, exemptions in specific cases can be
considered by the Committee as per criteria and procedure laid down.
2.4.6 Criteria for Recognition of Registrable Incoming Engineers from Overseas.
ECI shall register the engineers working overseas as under:
i. Engineers registered as Professional Engineer by the members of EMF shall be
automatically registered in India, if they apply for registration as PE in the specified
form, provide all required data and pay the agreed fee. They will be exempted from
examinations and other requirements as they will have been examined under an
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Engineering Council Of India
equivalent system and will have bachelors’ degree or equivalent in engineering from an
accredited institution and at least seven years experience.
ii. Others with engineering degree from foreign universities, will be required to go
through all procedures including examinations as for engineers with Indian degree,
except where the degree is recognised under a Washington Accord members’ jurisdiction
when only examination – 2 will be taken.
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2.5
CERTIFICATE OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER
The certificate shall be in the format to be decided by BRPE and will have following
information
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
Full Name of the applicant / Registration Number / Date of Issue
Passport Size
Permanent Address of the Applicant
Photograph
of the
Date of Birth
Candidate
Passport No. and Nationality (in case of non-Indian nationals)
Certificate of Professional Engineer Granted for
Technical Discipline(s)
Specialization(s)
vi.
Date and Place of issue and period of validity of the certificate
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2.6
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS - PRIVILEGES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
2.6.1 A Professional Engineer PE shall be authorized to
a. approve an engineering drawing/design/process/system/cost estimates/time
schedule/resources forecast/budget allocation.
b. certify the design quality of a product or process, project.
c. certify the adequacy of safety measures and environmental protection.
d. certify that construction is in accordance with design.
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Engineering Council Of India
2.6.2 Seal
A Professional Engineer shall have a seal of his own as per design approved by the BRPE
which shall have following information
Name of the PE
PE Registration No.
Issuing Authority
Discipline / Specialisation
Validity up to
This seal must be affixed on each and every page of the drawing/design/report/
Certification certified by him/her.
A copy of the impression of the Seal shall have to be submitted by the PE to the BRPE
for record.
PE shall be responsible for civil/criminal liability for the losses/damages suffered by the
user of his/her services if it is found that the losses/damages have arisen out of wrong
certification.
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2.7
REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES FOR DENIAL OF STATUS OF PE
2.7.1 Grievance in regard to denial of the status of a Professional Engineer (at time of initial
registration or, later re-registration), is to be sent by the aggrieved candidate to the
Chairman of the National Committee of along with supporting documents and on
payment of prescribed fee for this purpose.
2.7.2 The grievance shall be put before the National Committee, and it shall constitute a team
of two or more experts chosen by it to look into the matter. One of the expert shall be
designated as the Team Leader.
2.7.3 The aggrieved person, in his letter of grievance, can suggest up to three names of
Professional Engineers in the same Discipline, and specialization for which the aggrieved
party has made application for obtaining the status of Professional Engineer with whom
he/she has neither family relationship nor official relationship. The National Committee
may decide to invite one such expert to join the team, if it considers appropriate.
2.7.4 The Team shall be free to look into the matter in whatever way it considers fit.
2.7.5 The National Committee shall provide all documents needed by the Team and all support
that it may require to look into the grievance.
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Engineering Council Of India
2.7.6 The member of the Team must not divulge the proceedings of the Team to any one
personally. The leader of the Team shall submit the report to the chairman of the National
Committee and the decision of the Team shall be final. Chairman, National Committee
shall convey the decision of the Team to the aggrieved party.
2.7.7 The Expert Team may if they so wish, decide to do counselling to the aggrieved party.
2.7.8 The Expert Team, apart from giving its decision on the grievances, can also suggest to
the National Committee, any changes, that it considers important, in the procedures
adopted, for processing applications seeking status of Professional Engineer. These
suggestions are to be communicated to the BRPE through the concerned Member of the
Board, for the consideration of the Board. However these suggestions, as and when
accepted by the BRPE shall be applicable in future only and shall not affect the
proceedings of the case under considerations.
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2.8
APPELLATE BODY
There shall be an Appellate Body of three eminent persons to be constituted by ECI. It
will deal with any appeals against the decisions of BRPE relating to registration, reregistration etc. The Appellate body shall evolve its own procedure for dealing with
individual cases after going through the records and the complaints.
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2.9
CODE OF ETHICS AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
ECI will constitute a Board of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Consulting
Engineers, which lays down the Code of Ethics and is empowered to recommend removal
of a name from the National Register of Professional Engineer on following grounds
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
False / incorrect / partially correct information provided by the candidate at the
time of filing the application for obtaining the certificate of Professional Engineer.
Willful violation of Code of Ethics.
Violation of the conditions imposed at the time of grant of the status of
Professional Engineer.
Other violations as covered in the Code of Ethics.
The details are given in Section 5 on “Code of Ethics”.
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2.10
EXPIRY AND RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION
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Engineering Council Of India
i)
Certificate of registration shall be valid for 60 calendar months and shall become
invalid after that date unless renewed.
ii)
The Professional Engineers whose certificate of registration is expiring shall
apply to the National Committee concerned on the prescribed form along with
prescribed fee. Which will have 2 components (a) Assessment fee and (b)
Registration fee.
iii)
Renewal of a certificate for further period of 60 months may be effected 6 months
prior to and not later than 6 months after the date of expiry of the previous
registration under Rules promulgated by the BRPE which may specify the criteria
for renewal. This may include amongst the other the following:
a)
b)
c)
d)
iv)
Details of professional activities during the 60 months period after
registration.
Time spent in activities related to Continuing Professional Development
(CPD).
Review of the annual reports to be given by the registrant on the format
prescribed for the 60 months period after the registration.
The criteria and methodology for assessment of CPD are covered under
Section 4.
The registrant will be assessed by the concerned National Committee on the basis
of the criteria at the time of renewal of registration. This assessment shall be
communicated to BRPE, together with Registration fee and the candidate will be
issued fresh Certificate of Registration based on satisfactory assessment
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2.11
REGISTRATION OF 1ST BATCH OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
2.11.1 Background
It has been stipulated that the process of assessing a candidates application for the
certificate of a Professional Engineer shall be conducted by Professional Engineers only.
However, since there are no Professional Engineers to begin with, we have to develop a
mechanism for creating a core group of engineers whose competency in the disciplines
and sub-disciplines for which ECI is willing to issue certificates of Professional Engineer,
is beyond doubt. Members of this core group can be granted the Certificate of
Professional Engineers on the basis of Peer Evaluation and without having to go through
written examination. Below is given the proposal for creating 1st batch of Professional
Engineers.
2.11.2 Mechanism for selection of 1st batch of Professional Engineers
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Engineering Council Of India
i. ECI shall widely publicise to invite nominations / applications for the 1st batch of
Professional Engineers for appointment in various disciplines and sub-disciplines to
assume the charge of the various Committees.
ii. Criteria for according the first batch of engineers the status of Professional Engineer
are:
i) Should be an engineer as per ECI.
ii) Should have work experience of at least 15 years in a particular engineering
discipline out of which at least five years is at senior position.
iii.
iv.
v.
The recommendations for 1st batch of PEs will be made by member associations
and such other institutions / agencies as may be determined by ECI.
Candidaites assessed to be meeting the above mentioned criteria and on payment
of prescribed fee, may be registered as PEs.
Candidates will have to submit a written record of professional experiences
gained, which will be assessed by the National Committee concern.
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2.12
International and National Register for Professional Engineers.
The rules included in Assessment Statement are applicable for International Register for
PE with minimum seven years experience. Separate proposal to have National Register of
PEs, based on minimum four years experience is under discussion.
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2.13
THE FEE STRUCTURE FOR THE REGISTRATION OF PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS, ASSISTANT PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS AND RENEWAL OF
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
2.13.1 Professional Engineers
For Examination– 1
-
Rs. 1000
For Examination– 2
-
Rs. 1000
For Assessment (including Interview) –
Rs. 1000
For Registration as PE
-
Rs. 2000
Total
-
Rs. 5000
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2.13.2 Assistant Professional Engineers
For Registration - Rs. 1000,
2.13.3 Renewal of Professional Engineers Certificate
For Renewal of Registration of Professional Engineer - Rs. 2000,
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3. SCOPE OF ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES
3.1
ACCREDITATION OF ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES
An engineer possesses Bachelors’ Degree in Engineering / Technology or equivalent
from a recognized by university / institutions by the All India Technical Education /
Government of India. In India Accreditation of the engineering discipline is regulated by
the Government of India.
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3.2
GROUPING OF ENGINEERING DISCIPLINES
3.2.1 Engineering disciplines includes all areas in Engineering / Technology in which degree is
awarded by any recognized university or equivalent. A sample of major Engineering
Disciplines in which Certificate of Professional Engineer are being accredited are given
below:
1. Civil Engineering
2. Electrical Engineering
3. Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering
4. Computer Engineering / Information Technology
5. Chemical Engineering
6. Metallurgy & Material Sciences
7. Mining Engineering
8. Aerospace /Aeronautical Engineering
9. Marine Engineering
10. Textile Engineering
11. Agricultural Engineering
12. Production Engineering
13. Environmental Engineering
14. Mechanical Engineering
15. Bio- Engineering
16. Architectural Engineering
17. Industrial Engineering
18. Petroleum Engineering / Technology
3.2.2 Additional Disciplines including inter-disciplinary fields of Engineering may be added by
BRPE.
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Engineering Council Of India
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3.3
DISCIPLINE SPECIALISATION
3.3.1 Each Discipline shall have its specializations under it.
3.3.2 The certificate of Professional Engineer shall mention the discipline and specialization,
For example
(a)
Discipline : Civil Engineering
Specialization: Structural Engineering, Geo-technical Engineering, Water
Resources, etc.
(b)
Discipline: Mechanical Engineering
Specialization: Machine design, Fluid Engineering, Computer Aided
Manufacture, Computer Aided Design, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, Industrial
Engineering, Thermal Engineering, etc.
3.3.3 Full list of Disciplines of Engineering subject and the specialization for purpose of
granting status of Professional Engineer shall be prepared by the BRPE.
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Engineering Council Of India
4. DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERS
4.1.
ORGANISATION OF THE BOARD FOR DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL
ENGINEERS (BDPE)
BDPE role is to lay down development policy, establish standard for continuous
professional development and monitor such developments to maintain and improve the
competency level of PE’s. In this context BDPE shall:

Lay down policies for the development of Professional Engineers to enhance their
competency and capability, and to ensure their implementation through National
Committees established by the Member Associations.

These National Committees shall function as a point of contact on all matters
relating to specialised professional development of the Registered Professional
Engineers.
The Academic Institutes, and recognized Continuous Development & Training Institutes,
can offer refresher training as well as education and training for improving engineering
knowledge and skills through continuous development programmes, at reasonable rates
for services rendered.
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4.2.
PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER’S DEVELOPMENT POLICY
The ECI policy on the development of the engineering professionals shall aim at
facilitating enhancement of their technical knowledge and continuous development of
their skills in performing and managing engineering activities with emphasis on:

General subjects like Project Management techniques and practices, Safety
Management, Industrial and Economics Trends, Contract Management,
Environment, Ethics, Relevant Laws etc.

Technical capability enhancement including exposure to the latest developments
in the field of specialization, national and international technological trends,
Relevant engineering standards, etc.
It shall specify development quality standards, provide information about available
learning opportunities, register institutes / establishments delivering education and
training, set up the methodology for maintaining and monitoring the database for the
continuing development level of all registered professional engineers. In this context
BDPE shall facilitate the enhancement of technical knowledge and continuous
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Engineering Council Of India
development of skills for improved performance and management of engineering
activities by:

Formulating that the criteria for successful completion of continuing professional
development programmes for the renewal of registration will be at least 250 credit
hours within his/her five years registration validity period at the rate of around 50
credit hours per year. The methodology for the assessment of the credit hours is given
in Para 4.3.4. The Professional Engineer shall be required to record his CPD
activities, year-wise, in CPD designed format and send it to his /her National
Committee with a copy to ECI. The information sent should be supported by relevant
evidence.

Providing information about the available learning opportunities through monthly
meetings (organized through or in association with Member Associations) on
advances in technologies, annual seminars on achievements and problems, monthly
publication of an engineer bulletin to highlight its activities and to encourage
members to write on technical topics of interest, facilitating research and other related
activities.

Evolving the development quality standards and the monitoring methodology. It is
covered in Para 4.3.

Registering institutes / establishments delivering education and training and
monitoring their performance based on specified performance standards. In these
accredited learning institutes / establishments, ECI should provide certificates with
ECI logo, for distribution to participants at the completion of activities.

Maintaining of the database to establish the continuing development level of the
registered professional engineers
It is expected that all PE’s will be responsible for maintaining their state-of-the-art level
of competency in the engineering activity in which they are engaged. Further PE’s shall
be encouraged to record and report their involvement both to the professional society to
which they belong and to the BDPE.
The BDPE shall maintain a confidential database of learning and development activities
of registered APE’s, PE’s; who register for this service. Individuals shall be provided
with a transcript of formal record of their professional development upon receipt of
written request accompanied by a specified fee for service. These records shall be
maintained upto 2 years after the registration validity period of PE’s and for a period of
nine years for the APE’s.
The ECI does not conduct technical courses. However, site visits to associate member
organizations may be made on a periodic basis in order to review compliance with the
agreed delivery standards.
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Engineering Council Of India
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4.3
ECI STANDARD FOR CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
(CPD)
4.3.1 Nature of the programme constituting Continuing Professional Development
activities.
These include but are not limited to the following:















Educational upgrade
In-company training and presentations
Technical papers writing and books publication
Seminars with focus on education / knowledge
Workshops with focus on professional training
Technical articles, books, research reports, papers etc.
Attendance at meetings of technical or professional chapters etc.
Task forces, committees, review teams for codes and standards
Thesis
Research proposals
Design submissions
Computer-based training
Mentoring
Conferences, congresses, symposia etc.
Giving lectures and conferences
The Standards for Accreditation of CPD Program shall cover the above topics but it shall
not be limited to these.
4.3.2 Organizations Accredited for Conducting Formal Education and Training
Programme
The CPD programme must be conducted by a CPD organizations approved by the ECI
for the delivery of specific programme on continuing education and training. These CPD
providers are required to have an identified unit, group or individuals with clearly defined
responsibilities for the development and administration of the program. These providers
may provide the ECI with the necessary information for the registry of the program
together with the necessary consent from participants for having their participation results
recorded in the registry. In addition, ECI may approve specific programme of other
providers. Other programme, which are not covered as above, can be considered by
BDPE, on case-to-case basis.
4.3.3 Guidelines for the conduct of the formal education and training programme
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Engineering Council Of India
1. The Programme must be designed to meet learners’ needs. It includes determine
training requirements, defining desired learning outcomes, identify course instructors,
designing course content and instructional methods, scheduling the resources needed
for the projected outcome and preparing feedback questionnaire and a postassessment action plan.
2. Each program must specify its objectives and how it will benefit the learner.. The
outcome objective should emerge from the needs assessment and provide the learning
framework, which focuses on specific goals.
3. Each program should be planned by professionally competent instructors.
They should be responsible for needs assessment, instructors’ selection,
program contents, instructional methods, course delivery, testing, and
evaluation. Further the curriculum vitae of the instructors should accompany
each program.
4. Each program must have a mechanism to demonstrate that it has attained the
planned learning outcomes. Where individual proficiency is a goal, the
participant must be tested for the skill or knowledge acquired in the program.
Oral or written examinations may in some cases be the best method to
adequately evaluate learning outcomes
5. The program providers must have a systematic evaluation procedure to know
if and where improvements are needed.
6. The Program providers are responsible for arranging an appropriate learning
environment and support services. The EIC is responsible for the review of
continuing education proposals and activities for the assurance of compliance
to the standards established by EIC.
4.3.4 Mechanism for the evaluation of the Continuing Professional Development of PEs.
The Continuing Professional Development programmes includes ‘Technical Educational
Knowledge Update through added qualifications, and Professional Expertise and
Management Skills Upgrade through added training and experience. Each of these
categories can be further broken down into significant parts and each part can then be
assigned weightage and achievement value. The quality and quantity of ECI continuing
development programme shall be assured by the development assessment method
indicated below. It is the aggregate of credit hours earned in 5-years that will determine
as to whether a PE has secured atleast 250 credit hours within his/her five years
registration validity period or not, for re-registeration.
The hours of an applicable CPD are counted by multiplying the actual hours of CPD by
the Weight Factor, which indicates the extent of effect of each CPD activity. The
following table shows the details:
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Engineering Council Of India
Classification
Type
Professional Practice
(Upper limit)
(1)
Formal
Education (2)
Upgrade
in
Engineering
/
Management
duly
recognized by ECI
Formal
Education
and
Training
Activities (No limit)
(3)
Applicable
Program
CPD CPD Weight
Factor
(Multiplier)
(*1)
Practical
1 / 10
experience
of
“over two years in
responsible charge
of
significant
engineering work”
(*2)
Award
of 2
Doctorate
Applicable
Hours
Award of Post 2
Graduate Degree
50
All
achievements
shall be supported
with records and
certificates.
Award of Post 2
Graduate Diploma
40
Limit for total of all =
120 hrs for 5 year
Post
Graduate 1
Correspondence /
online
course
(including those
gained though the
internet)
40
Authoring books 2
on
field
of
specializations
published by a
reputed publisher.
40
Participation
training
development
programmes
Actual
hours
of
attendance
in 1
&
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Remarks
Actual
Limit: Total
hours
of hours/ 5 years
activities
(*2)
60
150
Engineering Council Of India
(4)
Participation
in 0.5
CPD
related
lectures,
symposium,
inhouse
training,
studying
tour,
National
and
International
conferences etc.
Lecturer*
or 2
Symposium
Panelist
Actual
hours
of
attendance
(6)
Participation in an 1
academic meeting
(7)
Writing
thesis, 1
technical reports
and others
(8)
Attending
a 1
committee * etc.
Hours
spent at an
academic
meeting
Actual
hours
to
write
a
report
Hours of
attendance
(9)
Part of social 1
contribution such
as emergency risk
judgment works
(5)
Presentation Papers
and other Activities
(No limit)
Actual
lecture
hours
* Lectures excludes
routine teaching at
institutions
and
university
Subject to limit of 20
hours per year
* This is applied only
when an applicant
participates in active
discussions (such as
at round –table)
Hours
Only those with
spent for urgency and for the
social
public interest such
contributio as
building
n
emergence
risk
judgment works after
earthquake.
Notes. *1. The number of credit hours will be calculated by multiplying the number of hours
actually spent for the CPD activities by a pre-determined weighted factor.
*2. These are equivalent to practical experience “Spent of over least two years in
responsible charge of significant engineering work” requirement for Professional
Engineer such as:
a.
b.
c.
Planned, designed, coordinated and executed a small projects;
Undertaken part of a larger project based on an understanding of the whole project.
Undertaken novel, complex, and / or multi-disciplinary work.
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Engineering Council Of India
*3. The above assessment methodology including the weightage factors are indicative.
The BDPE can re-design these, as required.
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4.3.5 Qualitative assessment
The National Committee will also undertake a qualitative review of the CPD record and
may require the candidates to appear for interviews. The review may also cover whether
based on the qualitative assessment, the candidate meets the requirements even in cases
where there is shortfall in quantitative assessment.
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4.3.6 Renewal of Registration.
The registration of only those candidates who fulfill the development assessment criteria
will be renewed. The candidate not fulfilling the CPD requirements for renewal of
registration can reapply for renewal of the registration after necessary further professional
development
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4.4.
IMPLEMENTATION
DEVELOPMENT
MECHANISM
OF
CONTINUOUS
PROFESSIONAL
4.4.1 The Member Association shall constitute National Committees in each specified
engineering discipline. These Committees will be formed in consultation with BRPE.
Members of the Committee shall be nominated by the Member Associations from
amongst the nominations received by them. Each National Committee will include one
member nominated by BRPE.
4.4.2 Each National Committee shall be responsible for facilitating and assessing continuous
development of Professional Engineers as per specified policy and procedures in specific
disciplines of Engineering assigned to them. The number of such Committees may be
decided from time to time.
4.4.3 National Committee shall consist of one Chairman and 5 members. Chairman of the
Committee shall be nominated by the Chairman of the Member Association in
consultation with the Chairman of the BRPE.
4.4.4 National Committees shall be responsible for processing the application for Reregistration of Professional Engineer and evaluating their development as per specified
norms and thereafter making recommendations regarding renewal of registration of
Professional Engineers.
4.4.5 Each Member Association shall maintain a local database of all their members who have
obtained registration as Professional Engineers or as Associate Professional Engineers. It
would be responsible to collect annual report of professional development activities of its
registered members on ECI approved format and place them before the National
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Engineering Council Of India
Committee for evaluation. The credit awarded by the National Committee to each
registered member for his/her annual development activities would be communicated to
the member as well as to the ECI Board for records.
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4.5
REDRESS OF GRIEVANCES – APPELLATE BODY
Grievance in regard to any design of CPD adversely affecting a candidate is to be sent by
the aggrieved Professional Engineer to the Chairman of the ECI along with supporting
documents and on payment of the prescribed fee for this purpose. The matter will be
placed before an Appellate Body to be set up by ECI.
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Engineering Council Of India
5. CODE OF ETHICS
5.1
BOARD OF ETHICS ORGANISATION
5.1.1 Board of Ethics for Professional Engineers and Consulting Engineering Organisations
(BEPC) will be a standing Board for ethics in ECI. It shall be responsible for developing,
renewing, specifying, interpreting, promoting, enforcing and reviewing Code of Ethics. It
shall lay down systems and procedures for this purpose and will be the deciding body for
taking action against Professional Engineers and Consulting Engineering Organisations,
for violation of ethical standards.
5.1.2 Functions of BEPC will include the following:
-
Lay down a policy, criteria and standards for ethical conduct of professional work of
Professional Engineers (This term shall include Associate Professional Engineers)
and Consulting Engineering Organisations.
-
Frame rules and regulations for the work of the Board.
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Receive all complaints regarding violation of ethical standards by “Professional
Engineers and Consulting Engineering Organisations”.
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Decide whether to investigate or reject the complaint.
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Take decisions regarding punishment in case of defaulters and communicate it to all
concerned as per the regulations.
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Develop specially designed programmes and encourage Associations/Institutions to
organize these programmes for dissemination of information on ethical standards.
-
Review code of conduct and ethical standards being followed and recommend
changes therein from time to time.
-
Make recommendations to the ECI on aspects related to the formulation,
implementation and review of ethical standards of Professional Engineers and
Consulting Engineering Organisations, when necessary.
5.1.3 BEPC will have a Chairman and up-to 7 members including the Chairman. All the
members, including the Chairman, will be nominated by the Board of Governors of ECI
for a period of 3 years. It will be serviced by the secretariat of ECI. No member shall be
eligible to continue as Member / Chairman for more than six years. Two members will
retire every year but they will be eligible for re-nomination up to the maximum period
specified.
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Engineering Council Of India
5.1.4 The Code of Ethics may be amended by the Board in consultation with member
associations.
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5.2
CODE OF ETHICS
Engineering is a profession that puts scientific knowledge to practical use. Professional
Engineers and Consulting Engineering Organisations , in the pursuit of their profession,
affect the quality of life of all people in the society and the quality of all sectors of the
economy. Therefore, ethics are fundamental to the values of the profession. Accordingly,
the services provided by professional and consulting engineering organisations should
adhere to a code of ethics while dealing with the public, clients, employers, employees
and the associates.
The ECI ‘Code of Ethics’, aims at maintaining high standards of personal and
professional conduct, developing professional competency and integrity, ensuring ethical
conduct in fulfilling social responsibility to the society, the nation and the global
community. It is mandatory that all registered Professional Engineers (PE) and registered
Consulting Engineering Organisations (CE), hereafter referred as “engineers” conduct
their professional practices and their individual behaviour in an ethical manner, as stated
below:
Article 1. Social Responsibility to Uphold Ethical Values of the Society:
1.1 Public Safety: Engineers shall ensure the safety, health and welfare of the public in
the performance of their professional duties. Safety of the people must always come
first. They should promptly disclose to all concerned the factors that might endanger
the public safety or the environment.
1.2 Compliance with Social Order: Engineers shall abide by the laws of the land in
which the work is performed, respect the local customs, uphold the human rights,
safeguard public property; abjure violence and acts of terrorism.
1.3 Impartiality and Fairness. Engineers shall treat fairly all persons regardless of such
factors as race, caste, religion, state, gender or national origin.
1.4 Environment Protection & Sustainable Development. Engineers shall strive to
protect and maintain clean, healthy and safe environments, sustainable development
and comply with the statutory requirements.
Article 2. Responsibility to Maintain High Standards of Professional Quality. These
professional responsibilities include the following:
2.1 Development of Technical and Managerial Skills: Engineers shall maintain stateof-the-art professional skills, continue professional development and provide
opportunity for the professional development of those working under their command.
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Engineering Council Of India
2.2 Undertake Assignment where Professionally Competent. Engineers shall perform
service only in the area of their technical competence.
2.3 Performance Responsibility. Engineers shall seek work through fair and proper
methods, and shall take full responsibility for the task undertaken by them.
2.4 Proper Verification of Documents and Production Processes. Engineers shall
approve only those designs, which safely and economically meet the requirement of
the client and shall not approve any engineering document, design, materials, stages
of work which they consider to be unsound.
Article 3. Obligation to Maintain High Standard of Personal Behaviour in a Responsible
Manner.
3.1 Honesty and Integrity in Professional Dealing. Engineers shall maintain high degree
of honesty and personal integrity in all their professional dealings. They shall conduct
themselves in a fair, honest and respectable manner.
3.2 Compensation for Services Rendered. Engineers shall not engage in unhealthy
competition.
3.3 Professional Opinion. Engineers shall seek and offer honest criticism of technical
work, acknowledge errors, and give proper credit for the contribution of others.
Where necessary, engineers shall issue public statements in an objective and truthful
manner.
3.4 Professional Relationship with the Employer. Engineers shall act faithfully as trustee
of the employer / client on professional matters.
3.5 Information Communication with Employers. Engineers shall keep their employer
and client fully informed on all matters relating to progress of business including
financial aspects, which may affect the assigned work.
3.6 Mutual Obligation & Trust. Engineers shall not, maliciously or falsely, injure the
professional reputation of another engineer or organisation.
3.7 Self Promotion. Engineers shall build their reputation based on the merits of services
to the customers and shall not falsify or misrepresent their contribution.
3.8 Employers’ Business Secrets. Engineers shall not disclose by any means, confidential
information of the employer or client, unless otherwise authorized.
3.9 Personal Conflict. Engineers shall disclose real or perceived conflicts of interest to
affected parties and avoid these where possible.
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Engineering Council Of India
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5.3.
VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS
5.3.1 All individuals and organisations applying for registration shall commit themselves to
this code of ethics prior to registration. After registration, the Professional Engineers and
Consulting Engineers Organisations must undertake to abide by this Code of Ethics. The
council shall have the right to cancel or suspend the membership of a Professional
Engineer / Consulting Engineers Organisation. Any such person or unit whose name is
ordered to be removed from the list of ECI shall be in eligible for registration under the
Act for such period as may be specified.
5.3.2 In case of any complaint, the Board has the power to investigate, and award punishment,
if considered fit. The Board will frame rules and regulation for this purpose.
5.3.3 Any aggrieved engineer shall have the right to appeal against any decision of BEPC to an
Appellate Body to be constituted by ECI. This body will consist of three eminent
persons. It may be the same Body set up for looking into grievances at the time of
registration and re-registration. The Body will evolve its own procedures, etc.
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5.4
CONCLUSION
It is imperative that all the member associations / organisations of the ECI should adopt
this ECI Code of Ethics, and make it binding on the conduct of their members and the
organisations. However, where necessary, the organizations may supplement the
fundamental ethics with supporting rules, if needed to amplify and / or meet the
organizational requirements.
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