National Building Code of India: GETS SEISMIC JOLT

Manoj Mittal
18 hours ago
5 min read

Updated: 59 minutes ago

Every system and procedure within government must be a beacon of transparency, accountability, and efficiency. In a true democracy, these mechanisms are not just administrative necessities—they are the living embodiment of the people's aspirations. They must rise above vested interests, amplify every voice, and guarantee that no perspective is overlooked. Only then can democracy flourish, vibrant and resilient, built on the foundation of trust and inclusivity.

The status of the National Building Code (NBC) has weighed heavily on my mind for quite some time. This is not a fleeting concern, but a matter of profound significance for the future of India's built environment. Many of you may remember my June article, “Correct. But Not Quite Right: The Curious Case of the NBC’s Status,” which resonated strongly within the construction industry and sparked thoughtful dialogue among professionals and stakeholders. It was written soon after cabinet secretariat wrote a letter to all states stating that following NBC is not mandatory. follow this link to read it again https://www.manojmittal.in/post/correct-but-not-quite-right-the-curious-case-of-the-nbc-s-status

Today, as the landscape of regulation and reform continues to shift, I feel an even greater urgency to revisit this issue. The NBC is not merely a technical document—it is the cornerstone of safe, sustainable, and orderly development in our country. Its fate will shape the standards by which we build, innovate, and protect our communities. It is imperative that we approach any changes to the NBC with the utmost care, foresight, and respect for the decades of expertise and collaboration that have gone into its creation.

The Government of India is vigorously pursuing next-generation deregulation and reforms under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. These include simplifying rules, scrapping archaic licenses, ending “inspector raj,” and promoting a trust-based Jan Vishwas Siddhant. A Deregulation Cell and Task Force on compliance reduction have been created to help states and union territories reform procedures. These efforts are laudable. They will undoubtedly boost entrepreneurship, reduce compliance burdens, and strengthen India’s economy. Yet, in this broader push, the NBC has unexpectedly come under pressure.

As a member of the NBC Committee (CED‑46) of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), I was deeply dismayed by recent directives from the Deregulation Cell of the Cabinet Secretariat. These suggestive instructions call for the deletion of critical sections—Parts 0, 1, 2, 10 & 11—of the National Building Code (NBC), the downgrading of Parts 4, 7, and 12 to mere guidelines, and the removal of development control norms from Part 3. Such sweeping changes are nothing short of astonishing. They appear to stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the NBC and misguided advice to the authorities concerned.

It is important to recognize that the NBC 2016 has just undergone a rigorous and comprehensive revision, a process spanning around 2 years and culminating in a document ready for publication. This significant effort drew upon the expertise and dedication of thousands of professionals from government, academia, industry, and various professional bodies. Revising a document of this magnitude is not a trivial undertaking—it is a herculean task that demands collaboration, technical acumen, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Diluting or dismantling the NBC now would not only undermine decades of collective wisdom and hard work but also jeopardize the integrity and safety of India's built environment. Any move to weaken its provisions risks eroding the very foundation upon which our communities are built.

The National Building Code (NBC) is India’s foundational technical document for building planning, design, construction, and maintenance. First published in 1970 and revised in 1983, 2005, and 2016, it has consistently incorporated the latest technological advancements. Widely regarded as the “Gita and Bible” of the construction industry, the NBC serves as a single, authoritative source of knowledge for engineers, architects, planners, students, regulators, and policymakers. Many state governments base their building byelaws on it, while government departments and private organizations rely on it for quality by mentioning it in contracts. The Code comprises 13 parts, including Part 0 (Integrated Approach) and Part 2 (Administration), which are especially critical as they provide the framework architecture to operationalize the NBC. In a sector that remains loosely regulated and lacks a central Engineers’ Act, these provisions offer essential guidance to regulatory bodies and practitioners alike. Follow the following link to get more information about National Building Code of India. https://www.bis.gov.in/standards/technical-department/national-building-code/?lang=hi

Despite being recommendatory in nature, the NBC has earned a position of eminence because of its comprehensiveness, technical rigor, and credibility. Dilute or downgrade it now would not only undermine decades of collective expertise but also weaken the very foundation of India’s construction ecosystem—a grave mistake at a time when the nation is striving for safe, sustainable, and future-ready infrastructure.

The Deregulation Cell has raised following major concerns while suggestively directing deletions/dilutions:

Regulations governing land and buildings are under the jurisdiction of individual states.
Fire safety and its regulation also fall within state authority.
Small Scale Industries organizations report challenges in meeting compliance requirements.
Provisions in the National Building Code (NBC), along with consultant’s requirements contribute to increased costs.
Restrictions such as setbacks, ground floor coverage, Floor Area Ratio (FAR), and height limits result in underutilized land.
The language of the Code appears excessively legalistic, creating the impression that compliance is compulsory.

While these issues merit discussion, they do not justify weakening or discrediting the NBC. The Committee in its meeting expressed willingness to refining specific provisions and have meaningful dialogues . However, reducing sections or converting them into mere guidelines would undermine the fundamental purpose of a national code.

The Cabinet Secretariat clarified in June 2025 that NBC is voluntary and non-binding. This is true. But if NBC is diluted, every state and UT will be forced to create its own building code, leading to duplication of effort, resource wastage, and inconsistent standards. Many states lack the technical expertise to draft such documents. The result will be inferior, erroneous, and fragmented documents, undermining safety, sustainability, and efficiency in construction. How will it promote ease of doing business? In any case it is not a case of infringement on the rights of states as NBC is only a voluntary document.

NBC should never be considered under the deregulation ambit. Unlike labor law simplification, which modernized archaic regulations, NBC is a technical standard that ensures orderly, safe, durable, and healthy built environments. In fact, NBC 2016 already promotes online and single-window building permit systems—a hallmark of deregulation worldwide. What is needed is proper implementation, not dilution. Moreover, India’s skill gaps make it impractical to rely solely on performance-based design approaches. Prescriptive standards remain essential for consistency and safety with some provisions of performance-based designs.

The NBC must remain a national-level, common, technically sound document in its full form and content. Periodic revisions, like the one just completed, should continue to incorporate modern technologies and practices. States and UTs may adopt or adapt NBC as per their priorities, but the national standard must stand intact.

NBC is not a hindrance to ease of doing business—it is an enabler. It ensures that India’s built environment is safe, sustainable, and future-ready. Dilution would be a step backward, not forward. The government’s reform agenda is commendable, but it must set its priorities right. The NBC is too important to be sacrificed at the altar of deregulation. It is the backbone of India’s construction ecosystem, and its integrity must be preserved.

Let NBC remain what it has always been: the guiding light for building a safe, sustainable, and developed India.

MANOJ MITTAL- DECEMBER 12, 2025|NOIDA

Disclaimer: The views and interpretations expressed herein are solely my own and are intended for educational and awareness purposes only. This content reflects my personal understanding and perspective on the subject, particularly emphasizing the significance of a meticulously drafted important and very useful document. It is not meant to criticize anyone or anything. It also does not represent the opinions of any affiliated institutions or organizations.