CIGI is the outcome of a series of deliberations by educationists, intellectuals, technocrats, sociologists, and community leaders, concerned at the deplorable plight of the deprived segments of the society. It was launched on 18th August 1996 by Mr. Saiyid Hamid, IAS, former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. In the following year, CIGI was registered under the Societies Registration Act, as a voluntary charitable non-govt. organization under the leadership of Dr. K.M Abubacker (Former scientist, BARC, Secretary of Atomic Energy Education Society, Mumbai). From a humble beginning in an 8×10 room in the vicinity of Calicut University, CIGI has grown into the largest NGO of its kind in the country, with its own buildings and infrastructure.