Beginning her career as a producer with Doordarshan, Delhi, in 1972, Kirti Jain joined the National School of Drama in 1977 as an Associate Professor of Dramatic Literature. She rose to be the School's Director, serving in that position from 1988 to 1995. Her directorial work includes plays such as Girish Karnads Hayavadana (1982), Mohan Rakeshs Ashadh ka Ek Din (1980) and Lehron Ke Rajhans (1992), Mahesh Elkunchwars Holi (1998), and Subarnalata (1999) based on Ashapoorna Devis novel scripted by Geetanjali Shree. More recently, she has directed Dinesh Khannas Tinka Tinka (2002), Aur Kitne Tukde (2003) based on Urvashi Butalias book The Other Side of Silence, Kaun Thagwa Nagaria Lootal Ho (2004) based on Kashinath Singhs story, Sab Kuchh Chakachak (2007), a play evolved with the TIE Company, Baghdad Burning (2008), a play improvised from a blog from Iraq, Ruka Hua Faisla (2010), a Hindi adaptation of Reginald Roses Twelve Angry Men, and Hamara Shahar Us Baras (2011) based on Geetanjali Shrees novel. She has received the B.V. Karanth Smriti Puraskar for her overall contribution to the theatre from the National School of Drama in 2010. She is also a recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for her contribution to Indian theatre as a director.