The purpose of the study was to reveal the essence of the concept of «innovative didactic potential», its formulation and defining the component composition; substantiation of the diagnostic program for determining the quantitative value of the index of innovative diagnostic potential and selection of conditions for its formation. We understand under the innovative didactic potential an integrated indicator of innovative abilities of an individual, which is revealed in the educational environment in the process of didactic interaction and is displayed in the system of attitudes to the innovative field of activity. To achieve the goal, the following research methods were applied: analysis, synthesis, generalization, systematization − to determine the conceptual apparatus of research, namely, innovative didactic potential, potential index. Methods of comparative analysis, deduction, induction, modeling were applied in the development of a diagnostic program for defining the index of innovative didactic potential. In modern conditions, higher education focuses on the requirements for research and teaching staff in the parameters of innovative educational activities. This implies the ability of research and teaching staff to master and implement innovative methods of teaching and learning. With this aim the curriculum for the training of the third educational and scientific level students provides the course «Innovation in pedagogy, organization and provision of modern classes». Generalization of the results of theoretical developments and empirical findings in the study of the problem of determining and evaluating the index of innovative didactic potential allowed to identify the conditions necessary for its formation: didactic, psychological, organizational, information technology.