On 14 April 1960, Government of India issued the Charter of NDC as under:-

"The NDC will provide joint training of instructions to senior Service and Civil Officers and will be under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. The study at the College will relate to socio-political, industrial, technological and strategic aspects of National Defence.

However, on 9 September 1960, Army HQ laid down that being an Inter-Service Institution, the College was under the control of the Chiefs of Staff and for local administration the College was to deal with HQ Delhi & Rajasthan Area. Only for the ministerial administration, the College was to deal directly with the Ministry of Defence.

In December 1972, the Army HQ issued a letter on the subject of Command & Control of NDC. The same was amended, on a suggestion from NDC, and wef 6 February 1973, NDC was placed under the direct control of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence, Govt. of India, vide their letter No. F. 14(3)/{GS-II) dated 08 November 1976, laid down that whenever suggestions or proposals for any change in the syllabus and functioning of the College come up for consideration, the Defence Secretary would consult the Chiefs of Staff as and when necessary.

Ministry of Defence

Government of India