Legally, it is a non-profit association registered under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act, 1861.

[4] The federation holds elections for its office bearers every four years.

Prior to the merger, the NSA and ISF had been engaged in disputes.

While the Calcutta-based NSA received affiliation from FINA in 1932–33, the ISF had the support of the Indian Olympic Association.

The Union Government intervened to resolve the dispute by merging the two entities to form the SFI.