The Association of Physicians of India which started in 1944 with merely nine members has now grown to well over 15,000.

Objectives of API
To encourage and advance the knowledge, study and practice of the science of medicine.

To encourage research, including experimental work, in the science of medicine.

To organize, establish, conduct, superintend or control institutions for promoting, whether directly or indirectly, the study of, and research in problems relating to the science of medicine

To hold meetings, conferences, exhibitions, study circles or gatherings for the study and discussion of problems relating to and allied with the science of medicine.

To provide instruction and education to deserving persons in the science of medicine.

To make Pecuniary grants by way of scholarships, donations, subscriptions, allowances, gratuities, guarantees and otherwise to and for the benefit of deserving students, scholars and other persons who are worthy of receiving such grants by reasons of their skill and proficiency in the science of practice of medicine or their service to the cause of promotion of learning, research and practice of the science of medicine

To award prizes, medals or other certificates or diploma of proficiency in the science of medicine to persons found fit thereof after such tests, examination or other scrutiny as may be prescribed from time to time.

To make rules, prescribing standards of professional conduct of members of the Association.

To establish and maintain libraries and reading rooms.

To print, publish, distribute or sell books, pamphlets, notices, pictures, periodicals, newspapers or magazines or any other literature on any matter concerning or relating to the science or practice of medicine or the life or work of eminent persons.

To suggest, study, criticize or otherwise advise on, or take part in, the framing of laws affecting the science of practice of medicine, medical education, health policies and health care activities.

To promote esprit de corps among persons studying or practicing the science of medicine and to promote good feelings between them and members of the general public or public authorities.

To co-operate with other associations or individuals to promote the objects of the Association.

To construct, provide, regulate and maintain buildings, rooms or other structures for the purpose of the Association and to alter, add to or remove any of them.

To receive any gift or legacy of moveable property (including money) either with or without conditions to promote the objects of the Association.

To acquire by purchase, lease, or otherwise, any property, rights, or privileges for the purposes of the Association.

To sell, improve, manage, develop, mortgage, lease or let, under-lease or sub-let, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with, all or any part of the property of the Association.

To act as trustees, agents or managers of property endowed by any person for objects of or similar to those of the Association.

To organize branches of the Association or to appoint agents and correspondents whether in India or elsewhere for promoting all or any of the objects of he Association.

To draw, make, accept, endorse, execute, negotiate, purchase, lend money upon, discount, hold and dispose of cheques, promissory notes, bills of exchange, drafts and other instruments and to cancel or vary such instruments as per statute of Government.

To layout, advance, invest, and deal with the Association’s moneys with or to such person and in or upon such investments, securities and generally in such manner as may from time to time be determined.

To engage such officials, servants or other person as may be found necessary or convenient for the conduct and management of the affairs of the Association.

To make bye-laws, rules and regulation of the Association and to delete, change, or add to the same from time to time.

To do all such other acts as may be necessary, incidental, conducive or convenient to the attainment of the above objects or any of them.

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Annual Conference
Initially the only activity of the Association was the annual conference. The conference provided an opportunity for members from all parts of the country to meet, to make, or renew friendships and to present their scientific data. For many years specialists associations of paediatricians, neurologists, endocrinolgists and psychiatrists held a joint conference with that of API. Over the years as these bodies matured and grew in numbers they decided to hold their own conference separately. However, several other specialties e.g. diabetologists, clinical pharmacologists, geriatrics, electro cardiologists, hypertension and ultrasound specialists have joined hands with API to hold the joint Annual Conference every year.

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The Journal of The Association of Physicians of India www.japi.org
In 1953 the Governing Body sanctioned the publication of a Journal when it was convinced that enough material would be forthcoming from the members for the regular publication of a Journal. The official scientific publication of the Association, JAPI was started under the dynamic Editorship of another leader from Lucknow’s KGMC, Dr S S Misra was the First Editor and Dr G Coelho has been the Editor since 1955. The Journal was published as a quarterly, then as bimonthly and soon after as monthly.

Other Editors are Drs. N J Mody, K G Nair, G S Sainani, V R Joshi, P J Mehta S K Bichile and currently Shashank R Joshi. After an initial period of teething difficulties, it has made steady progress and improved in quantity and production. For many years it added to the funds of the Association and has so far contributed to them. The Journal is managed by an Editorial Board which is assisted by many referees.