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The United Service Institution of India (USI), founded in Simla in 1870 by Col. (later Maj Gen) Charles Metcalf MacGregor, was established to advance military knowledge and professional development among British Indian Army officers. Its mission encompassed promoting knowledge in the art, science, and literature of national security, with a particular focus on the Defence Services. Starting with a modest membership of 215, USI has since grown to over 15,000 members, a testament to its enduring relevance and the expanding role it continues to play in fostering military expertise and strategic knowledge.
The USI has evolved from a modest institution into a pillar of India’s defence landscape. Its focus on scholarship, professional development, and open dialogue has positioned it as a critical forum in the nation’s security and defence policy discourse. With a robust membership, international engagement, and growing research centres, USI stands as a testament to the value of dedicated service to national security. Its continuing relevance reflects the foresight of its founders and the dedication of those who have guided it across generations. The Institution remains poised to address the challenges of modern security while preserving its legacy as a centre of defence knowledge and expertise.
Pradeep Kumar Gautam (Retd) is a war veteran of 1971 (Bangladesh). He is an Honorary Distinguished Fellow at CMHCS. He has written extensively on environmental security, water, climate change, military affairs, and Tibet.He has authored edited chapters, articles and monographs on Kautilya’s Arthashastra, Kamandaka’s Nitishastra, and The Kural. He is the co-editor of three volumes of Indigenous Historical Knowledge: Kautilya and His Vocabulary. He is a subject matter expert for the College of Defence Management.