Semiconductor colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) offer strong benefits for the near infra-red quantum dot-based light emitting diodes (NIR QLEDs) and lasers owing to the widely tunable wavelength of emitted light, high quantum efficiency and full integration with low-cost solution processing technique. Several approaches have been proposed to address these shortcomings including tailoring the interdot distance by organic ligands, using core-shell structure and embedding PbS QDs in perovskite matrix. Here, we propose an alternative method for improving the performance of PbS-based NIR QLEDs  PbS QDs with PL peak at 1.3 µm were synthesized through cationic exchange approach from zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanorods.  Inserting an ultra-thin Al2O3 ESL strongly enhanced the device performance.