In July 1959, Lt General K Bahadur Singh was appointed the first Commandant of the College. By the end of the year, he formulated detailed plans including the aim and the charter of NDC as well as the scope of studies at the College. The Chiefs' of Staff cleared approved them on December 25, 1959.
On April 14, 1960, the Ministry of Defence, laid down the following aim for the College:-
The NDC will provide joint training and instruction 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 strategic, economic, scientific, political and industrial aspects of national defence
Based on the aim, the scope of study was planned to include an examination of internal and external threats to the security of India as well as possible trends for the next ten years. Studies would include analysis of diverse factors such as foreign policies of other nations, conflicts over vital economic interests or territorial claims and factional, communal or political differences. Members of the course would also analyse formulation of national strategy for various contingencies up to and including the outbreak of war. Based on these guidelines, the first Course at NDC commenced on April 27, 1960.
The National Defence College was organised on the pattern of the Imperial Defence College (now Royal College of Defence Studies) of U.K. with it location in New Delhi.
The historic occasion was fixed for 10.00 AM on Wednesday, the 27 April 1960. The Prime Minister, while inaugurating the College gave his famous quotes which formed the Motto for the College. Keeping in background the situation and security environment, prevailing at that time, outlined the importance of broader defence strategy. He stressed this to meet new dangers of a "continuing nature" on India's frontiers. He said: