Objective

The Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) aims to promote collaboration among engineers and scientists to enhance and disseminate knowledge in the fields of Soil Mechanics, Foundation Engineering, Soil Dynamics, Engineering Geology, Rock Mechanics, Snow and Ice Mechanics, and related fields, including their practical applications.
The IGS serves as a shared platform for researchers, academicians, designers, construction engineers, equipment manufacturers, and others interested in geotechnical activities.

Contribution

IGS, being an affiliated Member Society of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), a significant number of members of the society holds memberships in ISSMGE as well. IGS has had the honor of having two of its members, namely Dr. K.L. Rao and Prof. Dinesh Mohan, serve as Vice Presidents representing Asia in the International Body. Prof. M.R. Madhav also served as the Vice President for the Asian Region of ISSMGE during the term 2006-2009.
Members of IGS have actively served as Chairmen, Co-Chairmen, General Reporters, Co-Reporters, and Panelists in various International Conferences and have performed exceptionally well in their roles. IGS nominates its representatives for the different Technical Committees formed by ISSMGE, and some of the members have held prestigious positions such as Chairmen and Secretaries in these committees.
Numerous research papers highlighting the advancements and progress made in the field of geotechnical engineering in India have been presented by IGS members at International Conferences and Asian Regional Conferences. Over the years, we had a considerable presence at these Conferences.
IGS exchanges its publications with other National Societies, particularly those in the Asian Region. Additionally, the IGS has established exchange relationships with several other National Societies outside the Asian Region. The Society has also initiated close interactions with the National Societies of SAARC countries.

Future Program

The IGS team is focused on a Growth plan and has prepared a vision document for 2025 which covers the following aspects:

  • Enhance the visibility of IGS on the National and International level.
  • Increase the membership to 10,000 in the near future.
  • Build an IGS office which will provide a platform to all its Members.
  • Help in proposing Laws which makes Geotechnical Investigation a mandatory exercise to ensure develop State-of-the-art infrastructure in the Country.
  • Prepare Data Bank of Soil profile of the Country.
  • Promote interaction between Academia, Industry and Bureaucracy.
  • To conduct National and International technical Conferences in India.
  • Improve the collaboration with the US Society of ISSMGE, Korean Geotechnical Society, Japan Geotechnical Society, etc.
  • To initiate tie-ups with Geotechnical societies in Sri Lanka, Nepal, Taiwan, Australia, Russia, Philippines, Kazakhstan, etc. for sharing of knowledge and networking.
  • To encourage women participation in IGS by promoting the IGS Women forum.
  • Make IGS presence significant in ISSMGE through promoting various technical committee and improving the membership of Indian engineers in ISSMGE and to conduct various international Technical Committee Conferences in India to get our engineers abreast with the state of art of practice in the world.
  • To tie up with National Skill development forum to have better technical and supervisory team for geotechnical investigation and to bring Indian geotechnical investigation standards in par with international level.
  • To enhance the activities of IGS Students Chapter and promote young geotechnical engineering events to enhance the networking of young engineers and to give exposure for first-hand experience in the field.
Our History

The Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) was established in 1948 with the primary objective of advancing and promoting the field of Geotechnical Engineering in India. Originally known as the "Indian National Society of Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering," its inception was driven by a group of engineers and scientists who recognized the need for a dedicated platform to address the evolving challenges and advancements in Geotechnical Engineering, following the second International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering held in Rotterdam. In the same year, the Society attained affiliation with the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and subsequently adopted the name "Indian Geotechnical Society" (IGS) in December 1970.

Over the years, the IGS has earned a notable reputation and emerged as one of the foremost and highly respected organizations in the field of Geotechnical Engineering within India. After operating for several years from the premises of CBIP, Institution of Engineers (I) Delhi Centre, IIT Delhi, and CSMRS, the Secretariat of the Society started functioning from its own house in 1996.

The society has had the distinction of hosting several prestigious international conferences, including the 13th International Conference on Soil Mechanics and Foundation Engineering (ICSMFE) held in 1994 in New Delhi, as well as the Asian Regional Conference three times in 1960, 1975, and 2007, the 6th International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics (ICEG) in 2010 at New Delhi, and the 6th Asian Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference (AYGEC) in 2008 in Bangalore. Anticipating the future, Society eagerly awaits the opportunity to host the esteemed ICSMFE for the second time.

A highly anticipated and esteemed event organized by the IGS is the Indian Geotechnical Conference (IGC), which serves as the Society's Annual Conference. Since its inception in 1983, the IGC has been a focal point for members and the wider geotechnical community, generating significant interest and participation. Noteworthy milestones in the Society's history include the Golden Jubilee celebration during IGC-1998 in New Delhi and the subsequent Diamond Jubilee celebration in 2008, which was commemorated throughout the year and culminated in a grand finale during IGC-2008 in Bangalore. In 2023, the Indian Geotechnical Society is commemorating its 75th anniversary and has devised a comprehensive plan involving various local chapter activities throughout the year, culminating in a grand finale during IGC-2023 in Roorkee.

The IGS encompasses a widespread network of local chapters and student chapters spanning the entirety of India. These chapters play a pivotal role in the Society's activities, providing an essential platform for professionals and researchers to exchange expertise and experiences through events such as technical meetings, seminars, workshops, and conferences. Simultaneously, the student chapters focus on nurturing geotechnical engineering education and research among students, organizing guest lectures, field visits, competitions, and outreach programs to foster a vibrant academic community.

Moreover, the IGS collaborates with numerous national and international organizations and institutions, facilitating knowledge and idea exchange in the field of Geotechnical Engineering. A significant contribution of the Society is the publication of the esteemed "Indian Geotechnical Journal," serving as a reputable platform for disseminating research articles, technical papers, and case studies within the Geotechnical Engineering domain.

The IGS's proactive engagement and substantial achievements have established it as an eminent and highly regarded professional society within India and on the global stage. Through its unwavering commitment to advancing the discipline and its remarkable accomplishments, the Indian Geotechnical Society has established itself as an esteemed professional organization.