The institute was set up on 01 May 1948 by the recommendations of the BC Roy Committee by the amalgamation of various defence medical organizations. The "Graduate Wing" of AFMC was established on 04 August 1962 to provide a sustainable and steady intake of medical officers for the Indian Armed Forces. The institute is presently affiliated to the Maharashtra University of Health Sciences and is recognized by the MCI for conducting undergraduate and various post graduate medical courses.