The Indian Society of Genetics and Plant Breeding, the oldest and most prestigious registered society of practicing Geneticists and Plant Breeders from public and private institutions and the students pursuing Genetics and Plant Breeding disciplines, has a vital role to play in fostering the progress of Science of Genetics and Plant Breeding in the country. The Society was founded 60 years ago, in January 1941, at the Indian Congress Session at BHU, Varanasi by a group of Indian geneticists and plant breeders of that time led by Late Dr. B.P. Pal, the First Secretary and also the First Editor of the Society's official publication, The Indian Journal of Genetics & Plant Breeding. Sir T.S. Venkataraman, was the First President of the Society in 1941. The Society was registered in 1951 under the Societies Act 1860.