Records of YMCA international work in India

Although several attempts to establish YMCAs in India were made dating back to 1854, the first successful YMCAs were launched in 1873 in Trivandrum and in 1875 in Calcutta, Bombay, and Lahore. In 1889, the International Committee sent a young American named David McConaughy to Madras to serve as the first foreign secretary in India. McConaughy encouraged the development of YMCA associations throughout the subcontinent and held the first National Convention in 1891, which resulted in the formation of the National Council of India, Burma, and Ceylon.

By 1891, there were 35 associations throughout India with 1,905 members – many of which were established prior to McConaughy's arrival. The associations implemented the YMCA's fourfold spiritual, social, mental and physical programs, while focusing on evangelism among Indian students. In 1896, the International Committee sent Sherwood Eddy to conduct student work; however, Eddy found that the students were suspicious of Western rule and religion, leading him to focus his attention on India's middle and lower classes by traveling throughout the countryside preaching and offering medical treatment. In 1912, a Scot named J.N. Farquhar was appointed as literary secretary of the Indian National Council. Farquhar made significant contributions to YMCA work in India by writing and editing a series of publications that compared the leading Indian faiths to Christianity.

In 1915, Indian YMCAs were staffed by 44 foreign secretaries – more than any other nation except China. The associations offered programs for Indian railroad workers and the military. However, one of the YMCA's most notable contributions in India was their rural development work, which was first begun by an Indian named K. T. Paul in 1913. Paul trained young men to organize YMCA associations in rural villages with the aim of promoting thrift, increasing the financial independence of villagers through cottage industries and improved agricultural techniques, as well as encouraging physical fitness. Importantly, Paul established a system of cooperative credit societies that freed the rural poor from the grips of moneylenders. The microloan programs educated villagers on the powers of combined action and won many converts among India's lower classes. Paul's appointment was part of a larger plan of "Indianization" promoted by the influential General Secretary Edward Clark Carter who believed that the future of the YMCA in India was dependent on the development of independent Indian leadership.

The First World War led to the reduction of foreign and Indian YMCA staff, which was crippling for some associations and contributed to the National Council's increasing financial debt. After the war, YMCA physical education staff helped to form India's first Olympic team in 1924. In addition, the National Council focused on improving its relationship with individual associations, and continued its rural development work and the traditional fourfold program. The rise of the Swaraj self-government movement included many Indian YMCA staff, and in 1927, the YMCA was accused of favoring Indian nationalism because of its promotion of Indianization – despite the National Council's insistence of its neutrality on the issue.

The Great Depression once again reduced the number of foreign secretaries in India and inflicted financial hardship on the National Council. During World War II, the YMCA continued its work with the military and aided Burmese refuges in India. Following the partition of India and Pakistan in 1947, the YMCA's governing body became the National Council of India, Pakistan, and Ceylon; several years later, after the formation of national organizations in Burma, Pakistan, and Ceylon, the organization became the National Council of India. By the end of 1955, following years of increased native leadership, there were five North American secretaries serving in India.

Through the late 1950s and 1960s, foreign aid contributed by the Buildings for Brotherhood Campaign led to the construction of numerous YMCA buildings throughout India. In 1969, the National Council of India proposed a new objective of becoming financially independent, which was supported by local fundraising and revenue generated by tourist hostels throughout the country – although foreign donations continued to support some special projects within India. In addition, the YMCA began to implement new programs, including industrial training, family planning, and adult education classes.

During the 1970s and 1980s, the YMCA in India made attempts to further expand its mission to new areas of the country – especially rural villages. The rural development program continued its work throughout India, and was supported by matching funds from USID. By 1982, there were 250 YMCA associations in India, 200 of which were located in rural or semirural areas.

The following is a list of individuals who served as YMCA secretaries in India, along with their dates of service, if known: