Who We Are

The Student Christian Movement of India (SCMI) is a pioneering, ecumenical movement of students, teachers, and senior friends committed to living out the Christian faith in the realities of campus life and society. Since 1912, SCMI has been nurturing generations of young people to grow spiritually, think critically, and engage in transformative action. We believe faith is not only a personal conviction but a shared calling to build a world shaped by justice, compassion, and hope. In a world of rapid change and rising challenges, SCMI remains a unique space where faith becomes action, learning becomes liberation, and fellowship becomes a witness to God’s justice and love.

Our Origins

SCMI’s story began long before it adopted its current name.

  • 1886: The first Student YMCA in India was founded in Pasumalai, Madurai, sowing the seeds of student-led Christian engagement.
  • 1895: The World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) was established at Vadstena Castle, Sweden. This global fellowship inspired and shaped India’s student movement.
  • 1912: The All-India Student Conference convened in Serampore under the leadership of John R. Mott, bringing together 194 delegates from 72 colleges. Out of this historic gathering, the Student Christian Association of India and Ceylon (SCAIC) was formed.

From these beginnings, SCMI steadily grew into an organization that crossed boundaries of caste, gender, language, denomination, religion, ethnicity, and culture, embodying an inclusive and prophetic vision.

Read More About Our Journey

What We Do

Worship and Spiritual Formation

Fostering life-giving worship rooted in diverse traditions

Bible Study and Theological Exploration

Connecting scripture to contemporary challenges

Fellowship and Caring

Creating inclusive communities that build solidarity.

Action and Advocacy

Mobilizing students to work for justice, peace, and human dignity

Leadership Development

Equipping young people with skills, confidence, and vision

Interfaith and Ecumenical Dialogue

Promoting understanding and solidarity across traditions.

Aims & Basis

The Aims and Basis binds us together and acts like a compass for our work at SCMI. We align all our programmes, worship and reflection with our Aims and Basis of SCMI.

Aims:
The SCM seeks to be a Student Community which enables students to:

  • To become committed to Jesus Christ as Lord, Saviour and Liberator.
  • To understand critically and participate creatively in the total life of the university.
  • To become aware of the contemporary social realities and be involved in the struggles for fuller humanity.
  • To participate in the life of the Church for its mission, renewal and unity.

To this end:
To initiate, facilitate and coordinate programmes for
Worship and Study
Fellowship and Caring
Action and Reflection

Basis:
The word of God, revealed in the Bible, active in history, and witnessed to by the Holy Spirit

Why We Exist


We believe the university is more than a place of study-it is where convictions are tested, solidarities are formed, and a new society is imagined.
In a time when inequality, fear, and apathy divide our communities, SCMI stands for:

  • Inclusive Fellowship that transcends caste, gender, and creed.
  • Courageous Engagement with injustice wherever it is found.
  • A Radical Reimagining of Discipleship as service to humanity and all of creation.
  • Hope in Action, grounded in faith and shared struggle.

Guided by the life and witness of Jesus Christ-Servant, Liberator, and Friend-we dare to believe that together, one day we will reach a new just world.