NIFT Kangra started its humble beginning from August, 2009, from its permanent campus situated in the Chheb, Kangra. The centre was inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister of Textiles, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran and Hon'ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal on 5th August 2009.

NIFT as a Institute is a pioneer in envisioning and evolving fashion business education in the country, and this endeavor saw opening of New Center in 2009 at Kangra.   NIFT now has a network of thirteen professionally managed domestic centres at New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Raebareli, Bhopal, Kangra, Kannur, Patna and Shillong. NIFT has further spread its wings globally with the opening of an international centre at Mauritius.

The NIFT Kangra campus is 2 kms from Kangra Bus stand and 8 kms from the Airport. Security is of prime importance in the campus, which is also a strictly non-smoking zone.

The courses being offered in the institute at present include specialization in four disciplines of Bachelor of Design and one Bachelor of Fashion Technology course at the under graduate level. NIFT Kangra has the strength of 150 students in all the disciplines being offered.

The institute boasts of a very close contact with the intellectual art and design sect of the society all over the country. Due to the advantage of being one of the  pioneer institutions coming  in the state, the institute is now very well networked to satisfy the academic requirements of NIFT at Kangra.

The institute portrays itself as a leader in fashion education in the state. NIFT Kangra has committed itself in exploring growth paradigms and to  act like a catalyst in formulating the structural roadmap for the apparel and allied industry. NIFT Kangra is looking forward to contribute towards upliftment of the craftsmen through workshops and design intervention.

NIFT Kangra will also come up with Centre of Apparel and Textile Studies (CATS) shortly. It is going to be first of its kind centre to be established in the country.