NICMAR was founded in 1982 as a result of a joint effort by a group of major construction companies in India headed by Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), whose Chairman, Ajit Gulabchand, put forth the idea of setting up an advanced research center in construction management. HCC contributed ₹30,000,000 towards the setting up of the proposed institute. The result was the establishment of the institute with headquarters at Walchand Centre, Tardeo in Mumbai.

In 1990, NICMAR was accredited by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO). Advanced Construction Management Program, a higher studies program conducted by NICMAR in association with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, International Labour Organization, and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad is considered to be a premium education program by the industry. The program is funded by UNDP and has visiting faculty from MIT, the University of Michigan, the University of Loughborough, and IIMA as per agreements with the respective organizations.

The aim of NICMAR is to produce ambitious, academically capable professional and future leaders in built environment skilled in solving global challenges and transforming lives. Provide access to educational programs responsive to evolving industry and societal needs through outstanding learning and teaching, research and a culture of enterprise. Foster holistic and global opportunities that engage students, support their unique needs and wellbeing, and help them prepare for future success. Create a vibrant university community and culture, based on our core values of excellence, inclusion and collaboration. Leaping a step towards achieving our aim, we have knowledge partnered with Business Standard to create an app for us, named as NICMAR University Pune.

Some of the key features of this app are: Seamless Connectivity - By offering a centralized content platform, the app strengthens student ties—across geographies, batches, and professional domains. Professional & Career Support - From curated job feeds to mentorship offerings, students can continuously engage in career advancement—either by staying informed of new opportunities. Real-Time Access & Convenience - A mobile-first interface means student get instant access to updates, events. Empowerment Through Mentoring - The capability to seek mentoring within the app empowers users to contribute meaningfully while leveraging collective experience. This promotes a cycle of giving back, strengthening community bonds, and enriching peer learning.