The institute aims at becoming the torchbearer for innovative design directions in the industry, commerce and development sectors.

The creation of four additional NIDs was suggested as part of the central government's 2007 National Design Policy.

The classes were initially started from the transit campus at Government Polytechnic, Umri, Kurukshetra.

Later in January 2022, entire operations shifted to its newly built campus sprawling over 20 acres of land built in the form of an endless knot at Kurukshetra along Grand Trunk Road.

The first stage of the examination is NID-DAT Prelims, which is a pen-and-paper design and general aptitude test, and the second stage is NID-DAT Mains, which is usually an in-studio design test and may also include a personal interview and portfolio review.