The National Dairy Research Institute metamorphosed from erstwhile Imperial Institute for Animal Husbandry & Dairying, which was established at Bangalore in the year 1923. With more than 93 years of its existence, this Institute has attained its present eminent position as a national institute for furthering the cause of dairying through research and education catering to human resource needs of India and other developing nations in Asia and Africa.

The Government of India established the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in 1923 as a Dairy Training and Research Center on the premises of the Military Dairy Farm at Bangalore. Later, the Government of India decided to establish the National Dairy Research Institute together with a Dairy Science College at Karnal on the premises of the Cattle-cum-Dairy farm (old Karnal farm), which was then functioning under the direct control of the Union Ministry of Food and Agriculture. With a view to consolidate the impressive infrastructure already developed at Bangalore, the unit was reorganized as the southern regional station of the Institute. The headquarters of the Director of Dairy Research were shifted to Karnal in June 1955

To organize and conduct programmes at under-graduate and post-graduate levels in various branches of dairy science.

To undertake basic and applied research in the area of Dairying covering production, processing, economics and management.

To develop dairy farming systems for different agro-climatic conditions and demonstrate models for transfer of technology.

To organize short-term specialized training programmes and vocational courses.

To collaborate with National and International agencies for Dairy Research and Development.

To provide consultancy to dairy industry, dairy farmers and other dairy development agencies.

To act as a Referral Center on Dairy Research.