I. K. S. V. was established under the Act XIX of 1956 of the Government of Madhya Pradesh. After the creation of new state, His Excellency, The Governor of Chhattisgarh State is the Chancellor and Administrative cum Academic Head of I. K. S. V. Khairagarh.

In 1956, the then rulers of princely state of Khairagarh, donated their palace to open a University of Music and Fine Arts. His Majesty, Late Raja Birendra Bahadur Singh and Her Majesty Late Rani Padmavati Devi named this university after their beloved daughter ‘Indira’ who was passionately fond of music

To join and study at the Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya is a way to enjoy Indian art forms. I. K. S. V., the only university of Performing and Visual Arts in Southeast Asia, offers a long list of subjects and courses related to diverse art forms like Classical Vocal Music (Hindustani and Karnatic), Classical Instrumental Music (Hindustani and Karnatic), Classical Dance styles (Kathak and Bharatanatyam), Folk Dance & Music, Painting, Sculpture and Graphics including other subjects like History of Indian Art & Culture and various literatures. The university is basically involved in teaching and research in Indian Performing & Visual Art forms. The University has forty-five affiliated colleges, one affiliated Research Center and a good number of recognized examination centers throughout India