Since then, INS Shivaji has dynamically evolved into a premier technical training institution of the Navy keeping pace with the rapidly changing technologies in all facets of Marine Engineering. Read on to know the fascinating story of how INS Shivaji came into existence……

To provide a scope for further expansion and to isolate the trainee sailors from the country's politics in the 1940s, the Royal Indian Navy (RIN) decided to shift the training establishment from Bombay to a quieter place. While the British were on the lookout for a suitable location, coincidentally, an air accident took place in the Sahyadri Ranges. Those who came to investigate the accident found more than what they sought. Sandwiched between a sheer vertical rock face, covering the entire height of the hill range (Tiger's Leap) on one side and another imposing rock formation (Duke's Nose or Nagphani) on the other, was this flat piece of land. Its tranquility and beauty held one spell bound, to be disturbed only by the occasional cry of an infant from a nearly village, Kurwande. Even today, this piece of land holds that bit of magic to any visitor.

The place had the right combination of all factors that contribute for a good training establishment. It had a salubrious climate - a natural outcome of its location up in the hills - and wide open space, with imposing terrain for a variety of outdoor adventure activities. It was adequately far from Bombay and Pune to isolate it from the maddening crowds and some of the politically explosive occurrences. No wonder this spot was immediately finalised for the establishment by Commander Nott, Chief of Staff to the Flag Officer, Bombay. Lieutenant Commander Joe Nuttal was given the responsibility of executing the move under the guidance of Lieutenant Commander John Coverdale Smith, the officer-in-charge of the Mechanical Training Establishment, who went on to become the first Commanding Officer of HMIS Shivaji.

Today, the establishment is in its 75th year of commission and has been the fountainhead of Engineering knowledge, imbibing to its trainees the very essence of Professionalism, Confidence and Strength. Moving with time, if not ahead, the establishment has achieved significant milestones in various facets of mechanical engineering training in the Indian Navy.