ðə mˈɛdəl wʌz ˈɪnstɪtˌuːɾᵻd ɪn mˈeɪ wˈʌn θˈaʊzənd ˈeɪthˈʌndɹɪd ˈeɪɾi sˈɛvən tʊ ˈɑːnɚ ðə mˈɛmɚɹi ʌv juːnˈaɪɾᵻd sˈɜːvɪs ˌɪnstɪtˈuːʃən ʌv ˈɪndiə fˈaʊndɚ, mˈeɪdʒɚ dʒˈɛnɚɹəl sˌɜː tʃˈɑːɹlz mˈæk ɡɹˈɛɡɚ.
The medal was instituted in May 1887 to honour the memory of United Service Institution of India founder, Major General Sir Charles MacGregor.