The evolution of K-DISC could be traced to the Kerala State Innovation Council established by the National Innovation Council, following the announcement the Decade of Innovation by the President of India in January 2010 to foster a culture of Innovation and creativity across all sectors of the economy in the country. This declaration inturn inspired by the suggestions of the Knowledge Commission report prepared by the National Knowledge Commission in 2009.

Kerala Development and Innovation Strategic Council was originally constituted as a department guided by a six-member advisory council with Dr. K. M. Abraham, former Chief Secretary to Government of Kerala as the Chairperson. The Council consisted of six eminent persons of repute in Science, Innovation and Technology in order to equip K-DISC to carry out the newly assigned activities of the Knowledge Mission.

K-DISC advises the Government of Kerala on strategic directions in various spheres. Such strategic papers shall reflect the new directions in technology adaptation, innovation and progress. In addition it is entrusted with the task of creating a healthy and conducive environment for fostering innovations in the State. K-DISC was formed as a society by the Government of Kerala and registered under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, 1955 for achieving any one or more of the following objectives:

Given the radically enhanced role that K-DISC is envisaged to take up in the new Government’s thrust to make Kerala an innovation hub, the structure of K-DISC has been totally revamped. K-DISC was registered as a society on May 4, 2021, with the Chief Minister as the Chairperson, Finance Minister as Vice Chairperson and Ministers for Industries, Higher Education, Labour and Skills and Agriculture as members. The Governing body consists of Vice Chancellors of the major Universities in the state and experts from various walks of life.