Guwahati, Nov 30: India has released a sweeping update to its national earthquake safety code, IS 1893:2025, introducing a new five-zone seismic map that places 61% of the country’s land area—home to more than three-fourths of its population—under moderate to high earthquake risk.
The revised framework replaces the earlier four-zone system with Zones II, III, IV, V and the newly created highest-hazard Zone VI, marking the most significant overhaul of India’s seismic planning norms in nearly a decade. The map has been released by Bureau of Indian Standards
The update is based on a refined Probabilistic Earthquake Hazard Assessment (PEHA), which incorporates detailed data on faults, tectonics, expected magnitudes and ground-shaking intensity. The new map identifies Northeast India as one of the country’s most active seismic regions, placing the entire area in Zone VI, the highest-risk category.
Beyond reclassification, the code modernizes India’s seismic design philosophy by shifting from earlier zone-factor methods to a return-period-based probabilistic approach, aligning national standards with global best practices. It expands design criteria to include vertical ground shaking, soil flexibility, liquefaction potential, and enhanced protection of architectural elements and utilities—factors that have historically contributed to casualties and damage in major earthquakes.
Experts say the changes will significantly influence urban planning, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness, particularly in fast-growing high-risk cities. BIS has emphasized that earthquake-resistant detailing remains mandatory for structures in Zones III to VI, even if other forces—such as wind loads—appear to govern design.
“With the entire Northeast falling under Zone VI, engineers and planners warn that the region will require stricter seismic design, improved detailing, and stronger enforcement across all building and infrastructure projects” an expert said.
As India continues rapid urbanization, the updated provisions are expected to guide safer construction practices nationwide, strengthening the country’s resilience to future seismic events.
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