However, Kautilya's Arthashastra shows that during battles, physicians with surgical instruments (Shastra, medicines and drugs in their hands besides women with prepared food and beverages) stood behind the fighting men.

Similarly, from the Sushrüt Samhitā, it is seen that a physician fully equipped with medicines would live in a camp not far from the royal pavilion and would treat those wounded by arrows or swords.

Physicians in the King's service adopted certain measures to protect the ruler from secret poisoning.

Physicians well versed in the technical sciences and other allied branches of study was held in high esteem by all.

The Corps was formed as a wartime necessity for attracting suitably qualified men for service in a rapidly expanding army.

The company expanded activities in various part of the country which necessitated the formation and maintenance of regular bodies of troops in India.

Soorjo Coomar Goodeve Chuckerbutty was the first Indian to enter the service as Assistant Surgeon on 24 Jan 1855.

In the days of the East India Company there were no regular formations or units charged with the task of looking after the health of troops.

[7] The post of Director General Armed Forces Medical Services was created in 1949, who functions under the Ministry of Defence.

The DFAFMS thus coordinates with the heads of the medical services of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

[3] The AFMS provides its services through a network Medical Inspection (MI) rooms located in the Units, Station Health Organisations and Family Welfare Centres; 133 Military Hospitals located at static military stations (which has varying bed strengths) and 99 Field Hospitals that provide medical care to service personnel in the field areas.

[3][9] The Armed Forces Medical College, Pune (AFMC), which was established in 1948 is the premier training institution of the AFMS.

It provides undergraduate, postgraduate & super-specialty training to AFMS, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) & Friendly Foreign Countries Medical Officers.

In addition, all Command Hospitals impart post graduate MD/MS training to the AFMS officers.