The United Service Institution of India was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. The story of its growth is the story of the growth of the Indian Armed Forces. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’

First housed in the old Town Hall at Shimla, in the foot hills of the Himalayas, the Institution moved to the then Army Headquarters. In 1908 its own building was erected at a cost of Rs. 26,000/- near Cumbermere Post Office in the Shimla Hills. As the partition of the sub continent approached, the Council decided that the USI and its Journal should continue as before; but that was not to be. Four issues of the Journal (January, April, July and October 1948) did go out as that of the United Service Institution of India and Pakistan, with flags of both the countries on the cover. In the event, the Institution remained a purely Indian one.
The Institution began with a membership of 215 members. When it moved to its present premises, the number stood at about 3500, and now it is over 12,928 as on 01 Jan 2021.
A “History of USI” from 1870 to 2008 has been written by Col V K Singh. VSM (Retd) Former Dy Director (ADM): It is being updated every year.
Maj Gen BK Sharma, AVSM, SM** (Retd), assumed Charge as Director on 01 Jan 2020. 

United Service Institution of India

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