Established in 1941, with Prof. P.C.Mahalanobis as Head, the Department of Statistics, Calcutta University, the oldest post-graduate department in Asia offering a course in statistics, has nurtured and produced a host of eminent statisticians who had have distinguished themselves both in India and abroad. The department is regularly visited by illustrious scholars. Over the years, it has established itself as one of the prime departments in India for dissipating knowledge.

Calcutta Statistical Association, an international learned society, closely associated with the department was established in 1945 with a view to promote activities related to statistics and its allied fields. The Association publishes an internationally circulated journal of its own besides organizing lectures, seminars, workshop and symposia, keeping a close liaison with the academic activities of the Department.