The Institute is located in a picturesque valley at the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and is situated at Nirjuli in the Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh, on National Highway 52A between Banderdewa (which is the entry point to Arunachal Pradesh and is 10 kms. from Nirjuli) and Itanagar. It is about 19 kms. away from Itanagar, the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. Arunachal Pradesh is the land of exotic orchids and lush green hills and provides an ideal setting for a seat of technical education with a backdrop of quiet and pristine surroundings.

Located at a distance of about 400 kms. from Guwahati, the Institute can be accessed by rail, road and air. Super Deluxe buses to and from Guwahati are available daily. Taxies can also be hired at Guwahati for coming to the Institute. An over night train connects Harmuty(the nearest railway station in Assam and is 15 kms. ahead of NERIST) to Guwahati. Pawan Hans provides a helicopter service 5 days a week from Guwahati to Naharlagun (7 kms. from the Institute).