The National Council of YMCAs of India is part of the international youth movement called the Young Men’s Christian Association: Started in London in 1844, by Sir George Williams, the YMCA is now spread over 96 countries. The National Council of YMCAs in India, was formed in February, 1891 and functions as the coordinating body of over 350 YMCAs spread out in most major cities, towns and villages.
The  main objective of the YMCA movement is the total development of the person - spiritual, mental and physical. The Indian YMCAs, under the guidance of the National Council of YMCAs, have rendered yeoman service to the youth of India. The services are rendered to all young people irrespective of their religious affiliation.
The Indian YMCAs have made significant contribution to the promotion of social and human development. Their services include the development of physical education, the promotion of Fine Arts, Culture and Sports, and of vocational training, the mobilising of youth for the promotion of communal harmony and national integration.
Indian YMCAs were pioneers in physical education. They were the first to introduce physical education in an organised manner in India.
The Indian YMCAs have also been pioneers in the field of rural development. The Rural Reconstruction Programme was first started by the YMCAs in 1920. Rural Co-operatives, Cottage Industries, Health Care, education for civic responsibilities and cultural advancement are component parts of the rural thrust. The YMCA Rural Demonstration Centres in Martandam and Kanyakumari still remain a model for Rural Development.
Other programmes through which the Indian YMCAs have made an indelible impression include the running of youth hostels, the promotion of adventure activities like camping, trekking, mountaineering, training of youth in oratory skills and parliamentary procedures through ‘Toast Masters Clubs’ and model parliaments. Besides the many youth hostels in India, the Indian YMCAs run the YMCA Indian Students Hostel in London which serves as a “home away from home” for Indian students who go to London for specialised training.
The Indian YMCAs have contributed much to the development of a secular outlook among Indian youth. In recent years, they have redoubled their efforts in this regard. They have organised nationwide seminars, conferences and action-related programmes to promote communal harmony and national integration.
Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India