Initially the Institute of Marine Engineers existed in India as a division of Institute of Marine Engineers, London. Thereafter, The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) was registered as a Society under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860 on 29 October 1977. The first Governing Council of the Institute was formed in 1980. The Institute was subsequently registered as a Charitable Organisation under Bombay Public Trust Act 1950 on 31 May 1982.