The Indian Geotechnical Society (IGS) aims at promoting co-operation amongst engineers and scientists for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in the fields of Soil Mechanics, Foundation Engineering, Soil Dynamics, Engineering Geology, Rock Mechanics, Snow and Ice Mechanics and allied fields and their practical applications. It provides a common forum for academicians, research workers, designers, construction engineers, equipment manufacturers and others interested in geotechnical activity.[1]
Awards numbering over twenty have been instituted by the IGS for outstanding technical papers published through the Society. Besides, Prof. G. A. Leonards of Purdue University has instituted an award for the best Ph. D. thesis in Geotechnical Engineering.
The IGS - Kueckelmann award is presented once in two years to an eminent geotechnical engineer who has made significant contribution to the profession in India. So far 16 eminent Geotechnical Engineers have thus been honoured.
To encourage Chapter oriented activities, an Award designated IGS-Ferroco Terzaghi Oration is being instituted for outstanding contribution to Geotechnial Engineering. The Award carries an amount of Rs. One Lakh plus expenses.[2]
To promote closer interaction amongst geotechnical engineers spread all over the country, local chapters of the Society were introduced in 1968 and at present Thirty local chapters are functional.[3]