Yes, after four teams backed out from participating in FIFA 1950, India was selected. However, AIFF blamed FIFA for disqualifying the Indian team because the players wanted to play barefoot. If truth be told, the tour to Brazil back then was a pricey affair for the AIFF and hence, AIFF blamed FIFA to escape their own embarrassment.

Source – http://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/10-myths-about-india-that-nobody-cared-to-even-verify