In 1871, the first school of nursing was started in Government General Hospital, Madras with a six-month diploma midwives programme with four students.
Four female superintendents and four trained nurses from England were posted to Madras. Between 1890 and 1900, many schools, under either missions or government, were started in various parts of India. In the 20th century, national nursing associations were started.
In 1897, B. C. Roy worked to the standards of nursing and nurses of both sexes.