Ajeet Cour began writing short stories as a teenager and today is the author of twenty-two books which include novellas like Dhup Wala Shehar and Post Mortem. Her novel, Gauri, has been made into a film while her story Na Maaro has been serialized for television. Her autobiography was first published in Punjabi in two parts, Koora Kabara and Khanabadosh. Her works have been translated into English, Hindi and several other languages.

She is the recipient of the Sahitya Akademi Award and the Padma Shree for her writing and her contributions in the field of social upliftment. She is the Founder President of the Indian Council for Poverty Alleviation, and has been President, Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature.

In 1977, Ajeet Cour founded the Academy of Fine Arts and Literature, a non-commercial institution in New Delhi for the promotion of the arts, literature, theatre, music and dance.