Abstract. We present near-infrared spectroscopic and photometric observations of the nova KT Eri taken during the first 100 days following its discovery on 2009 November 25.545 UT. The JHK spectra of the object have been taken from the Mount Abu Infrared Observatory using the Near-Infrared Imager/Spectrometer. The spectra, typical of the He/N class novae, show strong He I emission at 2.058 micron together with H I, O I and N I emission lines. The H I Paschen and Brackett spectral lines and the He I line at 2.058 micron show broad wings with a relatively narrow central component. The broad wings extend to ∼ 3000 km s^-1 while the central component has FWHM of ∼ 1500 km s^-1. The optical light curve shows additional small amplitude outbursts near 38 and 70 days from the date of discovery. The distance of the nova is &sim$ 6.6 kpc derived using MMRD relation and the estimated value of t₂ ∼ 5.8 days. The small value of t₂ places KT Eri in the class of fast novae.