This paper presents the emissivity data of different Indian soils at various moisture levels in the frequency range 0.6GHz to 1.2 GHz. Emissivity values are calculated in the laboratory from the measured values of real part of dielectric constant by using coaxial line method. Loss factor values are also determined. An empirical relation is formulated for calculating the soil moisture content from emissivity values which are also in good agreement with other reported radiometric measurements. © 1998, Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. All rights reserved.