A symmetric defected ground structure (DGS) integrated rectangular microstrip patch antenna (RMPA) has been realized with an aim to improve the cross polarization (XP) properties of the patch over principal radiation planes. Patches with different aspect ratio values have been examined. Proposed DGS is very well suited for specific applications such as dual-polarized design with high co- to cross-pol isolation. C-band design with varying aspect ratio (W/L = 1.6, 1.25, 1.0 and 0.8) has been presented. It is evident from the results that up to 17 dB suppression in H-plane XP level can be achieved. © 2015 IEEE.