The North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST) was set up by the Government of India and its foundation stone was laid by Shri Giani Zail Singh, the then President of India, on 4th March, 1984. The Institute was established as a unique institute of its kind in the country having non-conventional and innovative academic programme in the modular pattern i.e. Base, Diploma and Degree module respectively.
The first batch of students was admitted to the institute in the Base Module in August 1986. By July 1992, first batch of graduates with various specializations viz., Agriculture Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electronics & Communication Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Forestry have come out.
The institute is located in a picturesque valley at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and is situated at Nirjuli in the Papumpare district of Arunachal Pradesh, on the National Highway 52-A between Banderdewa (entry point to Arunachal Pradesh and is 10 km away from Nirjuli) and Itanagar. It is about 19 km away from Itanagar- the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh.
Located at a distance of about 400 km from Guwahati , the Institute can be accessed by rail, road or air. Night and day super deluxe buses, to and from Guwahati are available daily. Taxis can also be hired at Guwahati for coming to the Institute. Pawan Hans Helicopter service from Guwahati to Naharlagun (7 km from the Institute towards Itanagar) is also available.
The Institute provides the central facilities like Seminar Hall, Advanced Central Computing Facility, Central Research Facility, Education Technology Cell, Institute Library, Training & Placement Cell, Gymkhana etc.