Jalil Kidwai was born on 16 March, 1904 at Unnao in the state of Uttar Pradesh. After completing his education from Aligarh Muslim University and Allahabad University, he joined the Urdu Department of Aligarh Muslim University as a faculty member. He also worked as Assistant Information Officer at the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Following the Partition of India, he migrated to Pakistan and worked there in important positions in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Jalil Kidwai earned his reputation as a poet, short story writer, critic, and editor of poetical works. His poetry collections include Naqsh-o-Nigaar, Nawa-i-Seena Taab, Khaakastar-e-Parwaana, Qatraat-e-Shabnam. Sair-e-Gul and Asnaam-e-Khayaali are the collections of his short stories. His edited works are Deewaan-e-Meer Mohammad Bedaar, Intekhaab-e-Shuara-i-Badnaam, and Kalam-e-Ghalib Nuskhai-i-Kidwai. Tazkirey and Tabserey include his critical essays and reviews.

Kidwai passed away on 01 February, 1996 at Islamabad.