🤠 TL;DR
PEC is a college with legacy, chill vibes, smart students, and major potential — but don’t come expecting an IIT-like ecosystem. The infrastructure is getting a facelift, the cultural and technical exposure is unmatched, and there’s a long-standing alumni network to back you. However, it still lacks late-night campus life and consistent placement across all branches.
🏛️ The Campus and Legacy
Spread across 150 acres in the heart of Chandigarh, PEC is one of India’s oldest and most iconic engineering institutions. With a legacy of over 100 years, it has produced countless engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Kalpana Chawla, India’s first woman astronaut in space, is one of its most notable alumni — and the girls’ hostel “Kalpana Chawla Hostel” stands as a tribute to her.
The campus saw major attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited PEC, which triggered a series of renovations and upgrades across the institute. The Electrical Engineering Department is currently being modernized, and this year PEC launched a new MBA branch, expanding beyond its engineering roots.
An iconic feature of the PEC campus is the display of a real helicopter and a decommissioned fighter jet, located near the Aeronautical Engineering department. These serve both as aesthetic and educational exhibits and are a favorite photo-op for students and visitors alike.
🎮 Sports & Fitness
PEC is not just about academics and tech. The sports facilities here are vast and well-maintained. The campus features a full-size cricket ground, football ground, NCC parade ground, and a dedicated athletics ground. There are two tennis courts, a main volleyball court, and a secondary volleyball court in Shivalik hostel. For indoor lovers, PEC offers two indoor badminton courts, a basketball court, and a campus gym equipped for regular workouts. It’s a great environment if you love to stay active or want to pick up a new sport.
🏟️ Auditoriums
PEC boasts two main auditoriums. The Main Auditorium is a large, multi-purpose venue for major college events, fests, and official ceremonies. Meanwhile, the Aero Auditorium, located near the Aeronautical department, is used for department seminars, workshops, and technical talks. Both are equipped with modern sound and lighting setups and serve as cultural and academic hubs on campus.
🛍️ PEC Market
PEC also has its own internal market area, popularly known as the PEC Market, which is a daily hangout spot for students. It features stationery shops, food stalls, a shake and juice corner, and seasonal fruit vendors. Whether you want a quick Maggie break, a chilled Oreo shake, or need to grab a file for your lab submission — PEC Market has you covered.
🏠 Hostel Life
PEC has six hostels — four for boys: Shivalik, Aravali, Kurukshetra, and Himalaya; and two for girls: Vindhya and Kalpana Chawla Hostel. Each hostel has its own culture, common rooms, and sport zones (like the volleyball court in Shivalik). While the hostel infrastructure varies, there’s a growing effort to upgrade and modernize living facilities across the board.
The major downside? There’s a hostel in-time of 10 PM for boys and 9 PM for girls, which restricts the late-night campus culture you’d find at IITs. So, if you’re dreaming of coding sprints under the stars or night-long brainstorming sessions outdoors, you’ll need to work around those rules.
🎉 Festivals & Cultural Vibes
PECFest is one of the biggest techno-cultural fests in North India. This year’s PECFest featured electrifying performances by Saleem-Sulaiman and Asees Kaur, pulling huge crowds on Day 3. It’s not just about music — events include hackathons, gaming zones, fashion shows, quizzes, and all-night DJ parties that genuinely reflect the PEC spirit.
Beyond fests, the club ecosystem at PEC is thriving. On the technical side, students can join clubs like Robotics, IEEE, SME, ASPS, and IIM Society, working on national-level projects and competitions. On the cultural side, clubs like SAASC (art and creativity), Music Club, Dramatics, EEB (English Editorial Board), HEB (Hindi), and PEB (Punjabi) give students room to express, lead, and innovate.
🏫 Faculty & Academics
PEC’s faculty is highly qualified, with many having completed their degrees from IITs, NITs, and international universities. Most professors are approachable and open to mentoring, especially if you show genuine interest in research or innovation. While teaching styles can vary, you can find a solid support system if you’re proactive.
❌ The Downsides
PEC isn’t an IIT — and that’s both its charm and its limitation. There’s limited nightlife, hostel curfews, and sometimes bureaucratic red tape. Placement support outside of CSE/IT isn’t as strong, and while infra is improving, some parts still feel outdated.
Rumors say PEC’s decline started with poor management decisions, but the current shift shows signs of a comeback. With increased funding, upgrades, and a new vision, PEC is finding its stride again.
🌟 Verdict: Dope
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5)
Worth it? Yes, if you’re proactive and like to shape your own college experience.
Not worth it? If you’re expecting IIT-level lifestyle, spoon-fed placements, or ultra-modern infra on Day 1.
Written by: The team at dopeornopehub.co.in
Keeping it real. No filters. Just honest reviews.