Reforming Club Membership in India: Time for a More Inclusive and Practical Approach
· Free Press Journal
By Dr. Ram Gandhi, Businessman, Past President and Governor, IMC
The recent developments involving the government and the Delhi Gymkhana have once again brought public attention to an issue that extends far beyond a single institution.
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The attempt by the government to take control of Delhi Gymkhana is inappropriate and should be opposed morally as well as legally. At most, the authorities may review lease terms, revise rent and insist on corrective measures where required.
But this controversy has also highlighted a wider issue affecting many of India’s leading clubs, institutions built over decades and regarded as social landmarks, where membership has become increasingly expensive, complicated, and, for many deserving individuals, nearly impossible.
Traditionally, club membership has passed from one generation to the next. Initially, sons of members were given preference, and later daughters were rightly included. While this has preserved continuity and family association, it has also created a structure where access often depends more on legacy than merit.
In many clubs, children of members receive membership within months, while applicants remain on waiting lists for years without certainty of admission. Waiting periods continue to lengthen, fees have risen sharply, and access has become more restrictive.
This has made entry especially difficult for self-made professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals of merit who have built their success independently. Unless one belongs to a member family, the doors of many institutions remain effectively closed.
Another important issue is the prohibition on membership transfers. Many member families do not actively use club facilities and may visit only occasionally. Yet those memberships remain locked while applicants continue to wait. A carefully regulated transfer system, supervised by a Balloting Committee, could create flexibility while preserving standards. In some countries, transfer of membership exist successfully with their own conditions.
Clubs may consider retaining two-thirds of the prevailing market fee in any approved membership transfer, while allocating one-third to the transferee. The number of membership transfers can also be limited annually (25 members?) Other structured systems exist successfully in some other countries.
A related concern involves Service members. Many clubs rightly created categories for officers serving in a particular city or jurisdiction. However, in several cases these memberships were limited to a specific period and not renewed, even when officers continued in the same posting and city. A practical and fair solution would be to allow membership for the full duration of service, whether three years, six years, or longer.
There has also been encouraging progress outside traditional clubs. In recent years, residential complexes across major cities have developed excellent clubhouses with modern amenities. Though they come at a cost, they provide useful alternatives and reduce dependence on traditional clubs. This trend deserves recognition and encouragement from planners and policymakers.
To preserve tradition while adapting to present realities, major clubs should consider a few practical reforms.
• Create a merit quota for self-made professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals with distinguished achievements.
• Ensure that bureaucrats and military officers enjoy uninterrupted membership throughout the duration of their posting.
• Allow transfers under strict Balloting Committee approval.
India’s great clubs have a proud legacy and every reason to preserve their traditions. But institutions remain respected and relevant when they adapt to changing times. A thoughtful reform of membership policies can protect heritage while making clubs more inclusive, practical, and better aligned with the needs of future generations.
Disclosure: Dr. Ram Gandhi is a member of several prestigious clubs in Mumbai, most of which I gained access through my father’s membership. This personal connection gives me both familiarity with the culture of clubs and an appreciation of the urgent need for reform.