The Unit was raised in 1964 when NCC training became compulsory. Initially, it designated a 4 Mysore Engineer Regiment NCC, comprising three Companies with an authorised strength of 600 cadets. In the years 1969-70, when NCC training became voluntary, the strength was reduced to 400. The Unit was re-designated as 1 Mysore Engineer Regiment NCC in March 1970. In 1971, the strength of the Unit was further reduced to 200 and renamed as 1 Mysore Engineer Company. In 1973, the Unit was finally renamed as 2 Karnataka Engineer Company NCC with no change in strength.
In 1983-84, the count of cadets was brought down to 150, and was to be entirely provided by KREC . However, from 01 Dec 1985, one troop of 50 cadets was allotted to NRAM Polytechnic Nitte while two troops consisting of 100 cadets were retained by KREC, Surathkal. In 1993-94 the enrolment was restricted to 60 per cent of the allotted strength. Hence, only 60 cadets from KREC and 30 cadets from NRAM Polytechnic were enrolled that year.
In 1994-95, the restriction on enrolment was removed. 100 cadets from KREC and 50 cadets from NRAM Polytechnic Nitte were enrolled in Oct 1995, 33 cadets was allotted to NMAM Institute of Technology, Nitte, as a result of which 67 cadets were drawn from KREC and the remaining 50 cadets from NRAM Polytechnic Nitte. In 1996-97, 80 cadets were allotted to KREC. Surathkal and 70 cadets to NMAM Institute of Technology Nitte.
Due to the non-availability of a permanent in-charge NCC Officer, no enrolment was carried out from Nitte Institutions since the training year 2003-04, and currently, all 150 cadets are enrolled in NITK Surathkal. The strength has now increased to 160.
This unit is unique by way of its expertise in the field of construction of suspension bridges as a part of the social service tasks. The unit has, so far, constructed six suspension bridges, including a 120-ft long foot suspension bridge at Village Varanga in Karkala Taluk of Udupi District in June 1998, which took only 9 days to complete This particular bridge reduced the distance for the villager market goers and school children by approximate 10 kms. Work on a bridge across the Nandini River village near Shashihitlu was abandoned after completion of 70% of the work due to non-availability of financial help from the general public
SW Cadets were recruited from NITK Surathkal since the training year 2003-04, maintaining the authorized strength of SD and SW Cadets
In spite of the academic curriculum and busy schedule of NITK, one of India's premier and acclaimed academic institutions, the cadets are keen to be part of the NCC organization and find time to attend regular training and connected activities.
