The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Government of India set up The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT) through an Act of Parliament (RGIPT Act 2007). It is also in association with leading International Universities/Institutions. Assam Energy Institute, Centre of RGIPT currently runs from its own campus located at Gohain Gaon, Sivasagar.

RGIPT has been accorded the eminence of being an Institute of National Importance along with the lines of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). RGIPT is co-promoted as an energy domain specific institute by six leading Oil Public Sector Units (ONGC, IOCL, OIL, GAIL, BPCL, HPCL) in association with the Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB).

It caters specific areas in the domain of the Hydrocarbon sector. Assam is a hub in Oil and Gas sector and hence the location at Sivasagar in the upper reaches of the Brahmaputra Valley for the Centre is considered appropriate in view of the extensive oil field activities being carried out in the vicinity.