The Indian Association of Chest Diseases was established in the year 1959, with fifty-eight founder members. It was formally inaugurated at the time of Indian Science Congress by the Late Sir Arcot Lakshamanaswami Mudaliar, Vice Chancellor, Madras University, in January, 1959. Dr. V.K.R.V. Rao, Vice Chancellor, University of Delhi, presided. Soon after the inauguration, the first business meeting was held under the Presidentship of Late Dr. A. V. Baliga.