Indira Priyadarshini Nehru was born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj), India, to Jawaharlal Nehru, a prominent figure in the Indian independence movement, and Kamala Nehru. Her childhood was significantly shaped by her father's political activities and frequent imprisonment.

Indira's early education was largely home-based due to the unstable political climate and her family's involvement in the independence movement. She was deeply influenced by nationalist leaders and actively participated in children's groups that supported the cause of independence. She enrolled at Modern School, Pune, St Cecilia's and St Mary's School in Allahabad, then briefly at the Pupils' Own School in Poona and Badri Vidiapith in Bombay.

Indira founded the 'Vanar Sena' (Monkey Army), a group of children who assisted the Indian National Congress in various ways, such as running errands, delivering messages, and providing support to activists. This demonstrated her early political awareness and leadership skills.

The death of her mother, Kamala Nehru, from tuberculosis in 1936 was a significant emotional blow to Indira. It forced her to assume more responsibility within the family and further shaped her resolve.

Indira attended Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore, but had to leave due to illness. She later enrolled at Somerville College, Oxford, though she did not complete a degree. Her time in Europe exposed her to diverse political and social ideologies and further solidified her commitment to India's independence.