Indian Medical Association (IMA) is a national voluntary representative organisation of Doctors of the Modern Scientific System of Medicine. IMA has its roots in history that date back to 1928. During the freedom struggle, there was a need felt for a national organisation of the medical profession. The founder members were already members of the British Medical Association, which had a few local branches in India. The Indian Medical Association was formed and a mutual affiliation was agreed upon with the British Medical Association, assuring that they will have no branch in India, a relationship that has continued till date.
In the year 1946, IMA also helped in founding the World Medical Association (W.M.A.) and even today plays an important role in all deliberations of W.M.A. as a founder member. IMA has jointly hosted the III World Conference on Medical Education in New Delhi in 1966 with W.M.A. Today, IMA, headquartered at New Delhi is a well-established organisation with over 2.6 lac members, 1698 local and 30 state branches spread all over the country.