[1] In September 2013, the Union Cabinet approved the establishment of NISE in 2013 as a national institute for solar energy R&D and related activities under MNRE.

NISE was officially registered under the Haryana Societies Registration Act on October 24, 2013.

[3] The operations of NISE are overseen by a Governing Council, which is led by the Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and an Executive Committee headed by the Director-General.

[5][6] NISE is also responsible for the development of standards, testing and quality control of solar equipment and devices in India.

NISE conducts R&D, testing, certification, standardization, skill development, resource assessment, and awareness in the field of solar energy under MNRE.