The ministry is under, and is responsible to, the President of Indonesia.

The industrial portfolio was under Ministry of Welfare (Indonesian: Kementerian Kemakmuran) from 1945 to 1950.

In 1950, industrial portfolio was under Ministry of Trade and Industry (Indonesian: Kementerian Perdagangan dan Perindustrian).

After 1952, industrial portfolio was part of portfolios under Ministry of Economic Affairs (Indonesian: Kementerian Perekonomian).

After 1952, industrial portfolio was divided into 2 departments, those are Department of Basic Industry and Mining (Indonesian: Departemen Perindustrian Dasar dan Pertambangan) and Department of People's Industry (Indonesian: Departemen Perindustrian Rakyat).