AIFTO was incepted on 23 January, 1976. It has 1.3 million members (43 % female) with 24 affiliates across the country. AIFTO is a chartered member of Education International (EI).

AIFTO was formed with the objectives :-

• To organize the teachers working in all states and union territories in India.
• To foster a spirit of solidarity, service, brotherhood and cooperation among teachers of India and devise ways and means for their betterment.
• To assist the teachers in creating, strengthening and developing teacher’s organizations on democratic and secular lines.
• To endeavor for the welfare and professional upliftment of the teacher community at large.
• To represent the teachers and to defend their interests at the inter-state Government level.
• To seek cooperation of national and international institutions in promoting the spirit of nationalism, secularism, patriotism and in strengthening the ties of national professional brotherhood.
• To provide educational and social benefits to members which include seminars, get-to-gather, conference and conventions in different parts of the country.
• To seek and give cooperation of the established national centers having similar aims to ameliorate the conditions of working class of the country

In 2002 National Women Committee (NWC) was formed. In 2002, AIFTO formulated and adopted the Union Policy on Women and updated it in 2006. In 2004, the NWC was accorded the constitutional status. In 2009, AIFTO amended its constitution and 50% seats were reserved for women members in the AIFTO General Assembly and in all the decision making bodies of AIFTO. [Article-11]