When NNI first started its classes in 1978, Khenpo Tsundrue Phuntsog was appointed as chief Abbot along with a couple of assistant teachers. After his death, Khenpo Rinchen and Khenpo Dazer were invited to teach the course as visiting professors. Khenpo Pema Sherab then taught the course assisted by Khenpo Namdrol, Khenchen Tsewang Gyatso, Khenpo Rinzin and Khenpo Ugyen Tseten along with some assistant teachers.

In 1989 H.H. Penor Rinpoche enthroned the first batch of graduates with outstanding academic performance as Khenpos. Another batch of nine Khenpos was enthroned in 1994. Each year, a large number of students graduate from the Institute and over fifteen scholars are annually sent to teach in other monasteries in India, Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal and elsewhere. Today, NNI has over thirty­five teachers including fifteen Khenpos who teach regularly and two chief disciplinarians. The Institute also has received great benefit from the frequent visits and teachings of Buddhist adepts and savants like Khenpo Jigphuen Rinpoche, Khenpo Rinchen, Khenpo Dazer, Nyoshul Khen Rinpoche and Acharya Pema Gyeltshen.

The total number of residential students reached three hundred and fifty and that of auditors reached eighteen at the beginning of 1995 session. NNI is expecting a rise in the number of students by over forty every year. For instance, ninety people sat for the admission test and interview during the 1995 entry and only seventy of them passed. Because of accommodation problems, however, NNI could admit only forty of them.

The residential students are those who have registered as members of the Institute and undertake the entire course and examinations to obtain the degrees conferred by NNI. They usually stay within the Institute premises following the daily routine and regulations of the Institute and have access to the food and accommodation facilities in the Institute. Unlike the residentials, the auditors can come to the classes but they need not follow the whole routine and syllabus, nor do the examinations. They do not get the degrees and certificates either except in some special cases. Students here come from very diverse communities and backgrounds. Most of the students come from far away places like Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh and other parts of India. There are also research scholars coming from the United States and Europe to study under the team of learned Khenpos here.

The Administrative Faculty

There are two different administering bodies that run the Institute. The General Management Committee looks after the Monastery, Institute, Primary School, Nunnery and all the branches affiliated to the Namdrölling monastery. It is made up of several members selected through the choice of majority or appointed by H.H. Penor Rinpoche. Its members are:

Chairman:
H.H. Penor Rinpoche

Vice Chairman:
A Khenpo

Other Members:
The disciplinarian of the monastery, The Secretary of the monastery, The Treasurer of the monastery, The Principal of the school, The In­charge of the Nunnery, The officiating In?charge, Other Staff of the monastery.

The Faculty of the Institute is a unique body that administers only NNI. Its members include: President Vice, President Secretary, Treasurer, Head Librarian, Chief Disciplinarian, Other councilor.

Any kind of major deliberations concerning the monastery and its branches must be made by the General Management Committee. When H.H. Penor Rinpoche the chairperson is not present other members can make any minor decisions. The Faculty of the Institute must supervise the administration and maintenance of discipline in the Institute. The Faculty should seek H.H. Penor Rinpoche's advice and guidance while making any major decisions and must follow the deliberations made by the General Management Committee. The Faculty has the full right to finalize matters pertaining to the maintenance of discipline and academic routine. The disciplinarians and all members of the teaching staff are responsible for the maintenance of disciplinary rules and regulations and the chastisement for any violations. The Faculty must hold monthly gatherings to give the students advice and admonitions and to correct their misdemeanors.