The very best of India's structural engineering talent was recognised at the inaugural IStructE Structural India Awards 2026, celebrating outstanding achievement across both academic research and professional practice. The awards highlighted the breadth of innovation, expertise and ingenuity driving India's rapidly evolving built environment, while reinforcing the vital connection between research and real-world engineering impact.
The event brought together leading academics, practitioners and industry professionals from across the country, with IStructE President Professor Brian Uy and Chief Executive Yasmin Becker in attendance to present awards and celebrate the achievements of the winners. Their presence underscored the Institution's commitment to supporting excellence in structural engineering across India and strengthening links between the global profession and India's thriving engineering community.
Recognising excellence across research and practice
The Structural India Awards were established to showcase the individuals, teams and organisations advancing structural engineering through innovation, technical excellence and societal impact. From pioneering academic research to exceptional project delivery, the awards demonstrate how engineering excellence can transform communities, infrastructure and the built environment.
Academic Research Award Winner
Arth Patel, of Nirma University, Ahmedabad, received the inaugural Academic Research Award for his doctoral research into Concrete-Filled Double-Skinned Steel Tube (CFDST) Composite Columns.
His research explores the behaviour of CFDST composite columns under combined axial and flexural loading, contributing valuable knowledge towards the development of high-performance, resource-efficient and resilient structural systems.
Reflecting on winning the award, Arth said: "Receiving the inaugural IStructE Structural India Award is an immense honour. Presenting my research to distinguished practitioners and academics was a valuable experience, and this recognition reinforces the importance of connecting rigorous research with practical, buildable engineering solutions that support resilient and resource-efficient structures."
He also acknowledged the support of his supervisor, Dr Sharadkumar P. Purohit, and the role of the India Regional Group in creating a platform that strengthens connections between research and professional practice.
Student Academic Research Commendation
A commendation in the Student Academic Research category was awarded to Karmugilan Panchamoorthy of Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad). Recognised for his research contribution and presentation, Karmugilan highlighted the importance of platforms that showcase emerging talent and encourage sustainable engineering innovation.
He said:
"It is a great honour and an encouraging recognition of my research. The award motivates me to continue developing research that contributes to safe, efficient and sustainable structural systems."
Karmugilan also thanked his supervisor, Professor Mahendrakumar Madhavan, and the Structural Steel Research Group at IIT Hyderabad for their guidance and support.
Project Award Winner
The awards also recognised excellence in professional practice, with Dolomite Structures receiving recognition for its innovative approach to engineering design.
Accepting the award, Structural Engineer Pranav Darda said: "We founded Dolomite Structures to create space for play and experimentation in engineering. Being recognised by IStructE for that work encourages us to continue exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of design and execution."
Inspiring the next generation
The inaugural awards demonstrate the strength and diversity of India's structural engineering community, celebrating both groundbreaking research and innovative project delivery. By recognising achievements across the profession, the awards help foster a culture of excellence, encourage knowledge sharing and inspire the next generation of structural engineers.
Speaking at the event, IStructE Chief Executive Yasmin Becker joined members, researchers, award finalists and industry leaders in celebrating the exceptional talent shaping the future of structural engineering across India.
As India's infrastructure and built environment continue to evolve at pace, the Structural India Awards provide an important platform for recognising the people, ideas and projects that are helping to define the future of the profession.