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Category — GS Paper 1 ///Published — 2026-03-13 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Earthquakes, Disaster Management, Urban Development ///Category — GS Paper 1 ///Published — 2026-03-13 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Earthquakes, Disaster Management, Urban Development ///

News · GS Paper 1

Seismic Code 2025 Withdrawn, 2016 Standard Restored

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has withdrawn the 2025 seismic code (IS 1893) and reinstated the 2016 version after the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs raised concerns over steep construction cost hikes and inadequate stakeholder consultation. This reversal has significant implications for building regulations, urban infrastructure projects, and disaster management policies in India.

2026-03-13

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Key Facts and Data Points

Code withdrawn: IS 1893 (2025) – seismic design code issued by BIS.
Reinstated code: IS 1893 (Part 1):2016.
Seismic zones under 2016 code: Zone II (Low), Zone III (Moderate), Zone IV (High), Zone V (Very High).
Landmass in seismic zones: Approximately 59 % of India’s territory is classified as seismically prone.
Cost escalation concerns:
10‑15 % increase for buildings in Zones V & VI (now merged as Zone V).
Up to 50 % rise for large infrastructure projects.
Scientific methods used in 2025 revision: Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment (PSHA), active fault mapping, near‑fault effects.

Background and Context

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) formulates technical standards to ensure safety and quality across sectors.
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) oversees urban development policies and raises concerns when standards impact project viability.
The 2025 code aimed to incorporate the latest seismological research but was perceived as lacking adequate stakeholder engagement and causing prohibitive cost burdens.

Significance for India / Governance / Policy

Disaster Management: Robust seismic codes are integral to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, reducing loss of life and property during earthquakes.
Urban Infrastructure: Reverting to the 2016 code eases financial pressures on housing and infrastructure, potentially accelerating project approvals.
Stakeholder Consultation: Highlights the need for inclusive policy formulation involving engineers, developers, academia, and state governments.
Economic Impact: Balancing safety standards with cost considerations is crucial for sustainable urban growth.

Related Constitutional / Legal Provisions

Article 246 of the Constitution – Division of powers; central agencies like BIS can frame standards for nationwide application.
Disaster Management Act, 2005 – Mandates the preparation of building codes to mitigate disaster risks.
National Building Code of India (NBC) – Works in tandem with BIS standards for structural safety.

References

Earthquake – Drishti IAS

Prepared for UPSC aspirants – focus on current affairs, policy analysis, and disaster management.