Indira Nehru was born in Allahabad to Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement, and Kamala Nehru. Her childhood was deeply influenced by the political activism of her family, exposing her to the struggles and ideals of a nation striving for independence. Growing up in Anand Bhavan, the Nehru family home, she witnessed firsthand the shaping of India's future.

As a young girl, Indira was actively involved in the Indian independence movement. At the age of 12, she founded the 'Bal Charkha Sangh' to promote the use of homespun cloth (khadi) and later organized the 'Monkey Brigade,' a group of children who helped the Congress party by running errands and providing information. These early experiences instilled in her a deep commitment to public service and the ideals of self-reliance.