The NDPP was formed by Naga People's Front rebels who supported former Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio, and split to form the Democratic Progressive Party.

In October 2017, the DPP changed its name to Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party.

In January 2018, former Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio joined the party after the Naga People's Front broke its ties with the Bharatiya Janata Party for the 2018 Nagaland Legislative Assembly election.

[6] Within the same month, 10 NPF MLAs quit the party and began negotiations with the NDPP.

[9][10][11] On April 29, 2022, 21 Naga People's Front Nagaland MLAs joined the Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party; this increased the number of NDPP MLAs to 42.