Starting as a small programme under an external stimulus by UNDP project in early 70's, NIC started functioning in 1977. Since then it has grown incrementally and later exponentially as one of India's major S&T organizations, promoting informatics led development. In 1984-85, Government of India decided to extend the NIC services to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations and District administrations in the country. NIC district centres (District Informatics Centres or DICs) provide ICT support to District level administration and government / semi government agencies at district level.

National Informatics Centre (NIC) of the Department of Information Technology is providing network backbone and e-Governance support to Central Government, State Governments,UTAdministrations, Districts and other Government bodies with its nation-wide network NICNET over which state-of-the - art services are being provided. It offers a wide range of ICT services including Nationwide Communication Network for decentralized planning, improvement in Government services and wider transparency of national and local Governments. NIC assists in implementing Information Technology Projects, in close collaboration with Central and State Governments, in the areas of (a) Centrally sponsored schemes and Central sector schemes, (b) State sector and State sponsored projects, and (c) District Administration sponsored projects. NIC endeavors to ensure that the latest technology in all areas of IT is available to its users.