Operations Research

By Prof. Rajendra Singh | IIT Kharagpur

Learners enrolled: 667 | Exam registration: 9

ABOUT THE COURSE:

Operations Research is a multidisciplinary field that applies analytical methods to help make better management decisions. It is often called the “science of the better” because it focuses on optimising processes, resource allocation, and decision-making to achieve optimal solutions. The course helps solve complex real-world problems using mathematics and domain-specific knowledge.

Operations Research bridges the gap between theory and application, enabling systematic and evidence-based decision-making in various domains. It helps organisations deal with complexities, reduce costs, improve productivity, and gain a competitive edge. Its practical and quantitative approach makes it an essential tool for decision-makers.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: Students studying Agricultural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering, Mechatronics, Environmental Science or related disciplines at the undergraduate or early graduate level. In addition, professionals or decision-makers may also find this course helpful.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Water Resource Management Agencies, Environmental Consulting Firms, Civil Engineering and Infrastructure Companies, Production Engineering Companies, Agriculture and Irrigation Industries, Environmental NGOs, Urban Planning and Development Firms

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Elective
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Agricultural and Food Engineering Operations
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	21 Jul 2025
End Date :	10 Oct 2025
Enrollment Ends :	28 Jul 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	15 Aug 2025
Exam Date :	02 Nov 2025 IST
NCrF Level	4.5 — 8.0

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1:

Introduction to operations research: elementary concepts and objectives, applications of operations research in decision making.
Linear programming problem - mathematical formulation of the linear programming problem

Week 2: Linear programming problem – problem formulation and graphical solution

Week 3: Linear programming problem - Simplex method, concept of simplex tableau, its working principles

Week 4: Linear programming problem - mixed constraints, duality theory, the Primal-vs- Dual solutions, revised simplex method

Week 5: Linear programming problem - Sensitivity Analysis

Week 6: Linear programming problem - Case studies and software application

Week 7: Multi-objective Goal programming – basic concepts, problem formulation and solution

Week 8: Transportation problem - definition and mathematical formulation, initial basic feasible solution

Week 9: Transportation problem - optimal solution and case study example

Week 10: Assignment problem - definition and mathematical formulation, initial basic feasible solution, optimal solution

Week 11: Project planning and network analysis - introduction and basic definitions in Network Analysis, rules for drawing Network Analysis, Critical Path Method (CPM),

Week 12: Project planning and network analysis - Critical Path Method (CPM), Project Evaluation and Review Technique (PERT)

Books and references

Ravindran, Phillips and Solberg. 2007. Operations Research: Principles and Practice. 2ed. Wiley.
Taha, H.A. 2019. Operations Research: An Introduction. 10ed.Pearson Education
Winston, W. 2003. Operations Research: Applications and Algorithms. 4ed. Duxbury Press.
Swarup, K., Gupta, P.K., Manmohan. 2010. Operations Research. Sulthanchand.

Instructor bio

Prof. Rajendra Singh

IIT Kharagpur

Education

UG – Univ. of Allahabad 1985; PG & PhD– IIT Kharagpur 1987, 1993

Post-Doctoral Research - Danish Hydraulic Inst., Denmark (1995-1996)

University of Connecticut, USA (1999-2000)

Teaching Experience

IIT Kharagpur – Lecturer 1989; Asst. Prof 1994; Assoc. Prof. 1999;

Professor 2003; Professor (HAG) 2009 - continuing

Potsdam Univ., Germany– Visiting Professor 2007 (Summer Term)

Waikato Inst. of Tech., New Zealand - Visiting Professor 2012 (1 yr)

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: November 02, 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Kharagpur .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team

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