The Church of North India is the dominant Protestant denomination in northern India. Ecumenical discussions with a view to a unified church were in progress in India as early as 1929; talks involved primarily the Anglican Church in India - then called the Church of India, later - after Partition - the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon; the Methodists and the Baptist Council of Indian Churches.

Most smaller Protestant churches joined the negotiations over time; however, when the Church of North India was formally inaugurated on the 29th of November, 1970, the Methodists chose to be affiliates rather than join completely.

The liturgy of the CNI is of particular interest, as it combines many traditions, including that of the Methodists and such smaller churches as the Church of the Brethren and the Disciples of Christ.

The Church is organised into 23 dioceses; the post of Metropolitan, originally held by the Bishop of Calcutta, rotates between the appointed bishops.

Some of the oldest Christian educational institutions in India like Serampore College and Scottish Church College are affiliated to CNI.

A similar process took place in South India, giving rise to the Church of South India.