It was in 1985 when Ms. Uma Handa Founder Secretary and initiator of Nursing Research Society of India was invited by perinatology Association of India to present a research paper on temperature regulation of newborn babies from 0-3 hours in Mumbai. Inspired by the decision of perinatology association to send the recommendations of the research study conducted by Ms. Uma Handa to all the maternity homes in India for implementation, she thought of initiating a professional body for the promotion of nursing research in India.

While travelling back from Mumbai after presentation of research study she shared the thought with Dr. Inderjit Walia, (then faculty, college of nursing PGI Chandigarh) who was also travelling with her. Both of them then decided to discuss the formation of the Nursing Research Society of India with more stake holders / nurse scientists / nurse leaders. It was then the first meeting to discuss the formation of Nursing Research Society of India took place at Chandigarh in 1985 among the five leaders of nursing i.e. Dr. Inderjit Walia, Ms. Uma Handa, Ms Kanta Sanger, Ms. Prem Mehra and Ms. Saramma Samual

Thus the conception of the society took place in the train, it was born in Chandigarh and birth registration was done at Delhi. These six nurse scientists initially contributed Rs. 100 each to initiate the work of the society. They were self-nominated office bearers of NRSI initially.
Dr. Inderjit Walia
President
Ms. Uma Handa
Secretary
Ms. Prem Mehra
Jt. Secretary
Ms. Kanta Sanger
Treasurer
Ms.Saramma Samuel
Editor

The formation of nursing research society of India was also supported by eminent leaders of nursing namely Dr. S. Krishnan, Dr. Aparna Bhaduri, Dr. Margret Dean, Dr. Sally Bish (then Nursing Advisor -WHO) Dr. Barbara Wade (then dean, Royal College of Nursing, London), Ms. Ruth Mary Harner, (U.S.A.) Ms. Swan (WHO) Ms. Lesley Duff (RCN, U.K.), Mr. Sood (Legal Advisor) (who helped in getting the society registered on his own expense), Ms. Raj Kumari Sood (Nursing Advisor – MOH &FW) Ms. Bandana Bhattarcharya and many other nurse leaders. Since then society grew and at present we have about 1700 members

1986-1987
Starting The Society got registered under the society's Act-XXI of 1860 with registrar of societies, Delhi Administration (Certificate No. S/18421, dated and Dec. 1987).
1988
First National Congress at AIIMS, Delhi supported by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, WHO, USAID, UNICEF and VHAI. September 16-17,
1990
1st National Workshop on Research Methodology" at Lisie Hospital, Cochin, Kerala, from 10¬14 September 1990.
1991
3rd National Congress held at College of Nursing, Ahmedabad, from 28 September -3 October 1991. Theme: "Women and Drugs: Challenge to a Nurse",
1992
2nd National Workshop held at College of Nursing Calcutta from 24-25 Aug. 1992, Theme: "Dynamic Standard Setting System"
1993
4th National & 1st International Conference organized jointly by NRSI & NAN (Nursing Association of Nepal) from 2-4 Nov. 1993, at Kathmandu, Nepal. Theme, "Nursing Research for the Enhancement of Maternal & Child Health"
1995
5th National Conference held at NIMHANS, Bangalore from November 2- 4, 1995. Theme: "Mental Health in Life Processes
1996
4th National Workshop from 9-13 September 1996. Theme: "Manpower Assessment through Activity Analysis"
1999
6th National Conference at College of Nursing, CMC, Ludhiana, Punjab.
2000
5th National Workshop, at Choithram College of Nursing, Indore, 24-26 Nov 2000, Theme : "Nursing Research in New Millennium"
2001
7th National Conference held at Choithram College of Nursing, Indore, on 31st August -2nd Sept. 2001. Theme, "Reduction of Maternal Mortality: Midwives Make a Difference"
2002
6th National Workshop held at College of Nursing KLES, Belgaum, Karnataka. Theme: "Evidence based Nursing Midwifery Practice"
2003
8th National Conference held at College of Nursing, Bharti Vidya Peeth Deemed University, Pune, from 12-14 November 2003. Theme: "Reflections on Nursing Practice"
2004
7th National Workshop held at Government College Of Nursing Kozhikode, Kerala from 8-10th November 2004 Theme: "Policy, Politics and Nursing- Research Perspectives"
2006
9th National conference held at Ancillary Medical Training (AMT) Institute Jammu on 6-8 Feb. 2006. Theme: "Challenges faced by Nurses and Midwives in prevention and control of HIV/ AIDS".
2007
Launching of the Journal of NRSI at College of Nursing, Bharti Vidya Peeth Deemed University, Pune, 23-02-2007.
2007
11th National conference of NRSI held at B.M. Birla Heart-Institute, Kolkata on 15th and 16th Nov. 2007. Theme: "Empowering Nursing Leadership"
2008
2th National Conference of NRSI at College of Nursing Manipal University, Manipal, Karnataka on 16-18th, 2008. Theme: Bridging the gap between nursing knowledge and practice.
2009
13th National Conference of NRSI at CMC Vellore, 12-13th Nov. 2009. Theme: Standards in nursing education: Implication for practice.
2009
2nd Nation wide study under the agies of NRSI on "Audit on nursing education by nursing staff, teachers and students.
2010
14th National Conference at Rajiv Gandhi University, Bangalore 28th - 30th October 2010. Theme: "Nursing practice issues & innovation: ensuring healthy communities.
2010
Formation of Regional / Zonal branches of NRSI (during GBM held on 29th October 2010 at Bangalore)
2011
First North Zone workshop at University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, March 2011. Theme: Research Methodology: Improving PG Synopsis.
2011
15th National Conference at University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences November 17th - 19th 2011. Theme: "Nursing Research Issues and Evidence Based Practice: Ensuring quality Client Care".
2012
First north zone conference at R.B. College of Nursing Hoshiarpur, September 22nd and 23rd 2012. Theme: "Nursing Research: Implications for Clinical Practice".
2012
16th National conference at Rujaida college of Nursing Jamia Hamdard Delhi 29th-31st October 2012. Theme: Closing the gap : From evidence to action.
2013
17th National conference held at MTIN, CHARUSAT University, Changa, Gujarat from 25th-27th Oct. The theme was, "Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases: Nursing Research Perspective". Conference Chairman was Mr. Anil Sharma.
2014
18th National conference held at Choithram College of Nursing, Indore (M.P.) 14th-16th Nov.. The theme was, "Qualitative Research: A Step towards Theory Construction & Development. Conference Chairperson was Dr. Usha Ukande
2015
19th National conference held at Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangalore 29th-31st Oct.15 The theme was, "NURSING RESEARCH : A PATHWAY TO QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN HEALTH CARE,
2016
20th National conference held at Pal College of Nursing & Medical Sciences, Haldwani (Uttarakhand) 21st-23rd Oct.16 The theme was, Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration: A Key Strategy fo High Quality Patient Care