The Institute of Home Economics started in the year 1961 by a Registered Co-operative Society conducting a two-year Diploma course in Home Science. DLF provided the society with a property in South Extension on a 99-year lease. The Diploma course was later followed by a one year course in Teacher Training in Home Science. As the college started growing, the Co-operative Society was taken over by a Trust, ‘Home Economics Education Society’ with Mrs. Rameshwari Nehru as the President and many other renowned educationists, as its members. Dr (Mrs.) S. Malhan was the founder Director of the college. Her dynamism and keen involvement in the college affairs led to the recognition conferred by the University of Delhi and in 1969, Institute of Home Economics became a constituent college of University of Delhi.
The college continued to expand under the energetic leadership of Mrs. Malhan. In the year 1972, a one year Post-Graduate Diploma in Dietetics and Public Health and Nutrition was started. This was followed by a three-year B.Sc. Home Science (Hons) programme in 1973.
The year 1987 saw another landmark in the history of the college. The foundation stone for the new college building at Hauz Khas was laid by Late Honorable Giani Zail Singh, the then President of India. The year also marked the introduction of a two-year M.Sc. (Home Science) in Textiles and Clothing at the Institute. Dr Kumud Khanna was appointed Director of the Institute of Home Economics in 1992. Under her guidance, the Institute of Home Economics witnessed exponential growth. A three-year degree course in B.Sc. (Hons) Microbiology was started in 1992. The entire infrastructure required to successfully transact the Master’s programme was created by the college. Keeping in view the growing demand for higher education in the field of Nutrition, a two-year M.Sc. (Home Science) programme in Food and Nutrition was started in 1993.
Another new chapter in the history of the college unfolded in the year 2001, when the institute shifted to the present campus at Hauz Khas Enclave. With brand new facilities, more classrooms, better laboratories and workspace, the staff and students bid farewell to the old campus. In a period of three years, in 2004, a four year degree course was started in Elementary Education (B.El.Ed). In 2007, another three-year degree course in B.Sc. (Hons) Biochemistry was introduced. In the year 2010, the college added another feather to its cap when UGC approved an innovative one-year Post-Graduate Diploma Course in Health and Social Gerontology in the college. With such rapid expansion of the institution in terms of diversity of courses and increasing student strength, a need was felt to expand the infrastructure of the college. Construction of the new building block of the college was therefore started with the financial assistance from UGC for expansion of college infrastructure. The new building was inaugurated on Feb 28, 2015 during the Annual Day celebrations of the college by Prof. M.C Sharma, member Law Commission of India. The added wing has several lecture theaters, labs, conference room and other facilities such as day care center and nursery school.
The college celebrated 50 years of existence and academic excellence in 2011.Seminars and conferences were held to mark the occasion. Talks were delivered by eminent experts in different fields. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India addressed the students on the occasion. The college continues to grow with ever increasing enthusiasm and vigour under the able leadership of the Director, Prof. Geeta Trilok-Kumar. The members of IHE family continue to be guided by a spirit of professionalism and dedication to a meaningful teaching learning relationship.