The Operational Research Society of India was founded in 1957 with its headquarters at Delhi. In 1971, it was shifted to Kolkata. It provides a common forum for the Operations Research Specialists-theoreticians and practitioners – to widen their horizon by exchange of knowledge and application techniques. They may work in academia, in industry or in public service, teaching, conducting research or consulting by developing and applying OR methods. It is the professional discipline that deals with application of scientific methods to decision-making.

Operational Research draws upon ideas from engineering, management, mathematics, statistics, economics and psychology to contribute to a wide variety of application domains. The field is closely associated with several other fields in decision sciences – applied mathematics, computer science, industrial engineering, financial engineering and systems engineering. It is distinguished by its broad applicability and by wide variety of career opportunities and work styles it embraces.

The Society is affiliated to the International Federation of Operational Research Societies (IFORS). At present, ORSI is the representative of IFORS in India.

The Society had the privilege of having the late Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis, the founder of Indian Statistical Institute and the prime architect of planning in India, as its first President. Thereafter, many OR stalwarts of repute adorned this position and each one has left his/her mark not only in the activities of this Society but also in many other areas. See details

Being a non-profit making professional body, its motto is to fulfil the aspirations of those who initially set up the Society to be a clearing house for knowledge and application in total progress. Contribution to the Society towards attainment of these objectives is eligible for exemption of Income Tax under Section 80(G)(5)(vi) of the Income Tax Act.

It is beyond doubt that industry and business today greatly depend on computers – an integrating tool for feedback and feedforward and also for the strategic thrust in project achievement, financial control, productivity, diversification and market penetration. ORSI ventured to adapt itself to this development as far back as in 1989 to set up a computer centre at its headquarters to impart computer education in collaboration with Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India. Thereafter, apart from conducting its own courses, it was associated with Department of Electronics, Govt. of India, for its postgraduate programme in computers.

The Society celebrated its Silver Jubilee in 1992 and Diamond Jubilee in 2017. The Central Council decided to introduce three Distinguished Educators award in India from 2017 during its Annual Convention in three disciplines:

• Operations Research/Mathematics/ Statistics/ other Disciplines of Science
• Engineering
• Management

The Society realised that its aim in the field of research and development cannot be ignored. With this consciousness,  the Society introduced official publication of its own journal OPSEARCH for circulation all over the world in 1964. In 2013, the Society signed an Agreement with Springer Nature India Private Limited, New Delhi by granting exclusive right and license to produce, publish, distribute, archive, translate and sell the journal in all languages, all forms and all media, now known or later devised or perfected, throughout the world. The Agreement was subsequently renewed in 2018. The Journal brings out high quality research and state-of-the Art papers in Operational Research.

The Society accepts membership in different categories. For details refer Membership.

The Society introduced its first Graduate Diploma Examination in Operational Research way back in 1973, which has been recognised by the then Ministry of Education and Culture (Department of Education) vide Memo No. 18-43/78/T7 dated 16 October 1980. It provides opportunities to professionals and students to equip themselves with latest knowledge of Operational Research.

ORSI instituted a few notable Awards and Fellowships to renowned experts in the field. These awards and fellowships are being given every year during Annual Convention. See details

ORSI organised its first Annual Convention in 1968 at Kolkata. Thereafter, every year, Annual Convention is being organized at different locations in the country. Details, see Annual Convention.

At present, there are 17 chapters of the Society all over the country. Most of the chapters organise monthly lecture meetings, seminars, symposia, online lecture series by experts to evolve current awareness and interest in the field.