WelCome to OPTICAL SOCIETY OF INDIA

The Optical Society of India (OSI) was founded in the year 1965. The society was started in a modest way with only a few dedicated members, but soon gained momentum and developed in a rapid pace to what it is to-day. The purpose of the society as spelled out in its constitution, is :

(i) to promote and diffuse the knowledge of optics in all its branches-pure and applied,

(ii)to encourage, organize and coordinate research activities in the field of optics,

(iii)to undertake survey of the optical needs of the country and to enumerate and sponsor schemes of research and development,

(iv) to promote the cooperation between designers, manufacturers and users of optical technology,

(v) to organize meetings, seminars and conferences on varied aspects of optics, and to co-operate with other scientific organizations in all matters of national scientific importance,

(vi) to publish books, journals, reports and transactions relating to the field of optics and

(vii) to secure, and administer funds, grants and endowments for furtherance of optics research and development in the country.

At present the OSI has more than four hundred eighty life members (fellows) and about hundred regular (fellows) members. The number of corporate members is fifteen. The OSI has several members from abroad. The society has been holding annual national symposia for the last three decades. In the year 1968 the society started publishing a bulletin, and since 1972, it is publishing a quarterly journal of optics. Since 2004, a quarterly newsletter, OSI Newsletter is being published.

To encourage research activities in optics the OSI has instituted several awards. The Optical Society of India (OSI) Award was institututed out of a donation made to the society by an anonymous donor through Prof. M. De. This is a biennial award for the scientist having made significant contribution in the field of optics and opto-electronics. For encouraging young scientists to contribute good research papers, the OSI has instituted the Harbans Singh Memorial (HSM) Award for the author of the best research paper published in the Journal of Optics in one calendar year. The society has a third award known as the Satgur Prasad Prag Parameshwari Devi Memorial (SPPPDM) Award for the best presentation of research paper in the annual symposium of the society.

The OSI is affiliated to the International Commission of Optics (ICO) and represents India at ICO with 4 voting counts. From the early nineties the OSI and the SPIE have close liaison with MOUs renewed every two-three years.