India did introduce a revised seismic zonation in 2025 that placed most of the Himalayan arc in a new Zone VI, but that revision is no longer current. PIB stated in 2026 that the Seismic Zoning Map of India under BIS code IS 1893(Part-1):2016 remains the current standard because the revised zonation was withdrawn in March 2026. Learners should therefore treat Zone VI as a withdrawn 2025 proposal/revision, not as the operative earthquake-design classification. The Himalayan arc nevertheless remains a high seismic-hazard region, where the Indian plate continues to converge with the Eurasian plate; historic events include 1897 Assam, 1905 Kangra, 1934 Bihar-Nepal, 1950 Assam and 2015 Nepal. Exam notes must distinguish physical hazard from the operative legal code classification, which remains Zones II to V under the 2016 standard.
India's Revised 2025 Seismic Zonation Was Withdrawn; IS 1893:2016 Remains Current
India did introduce a revised seismic zonation in 2025 that placed most of the Himalayan arc in a new Zone VI, but that revision is no longer current. PIB stated in 2026 that the Seismic Zoning Map of India under BIS code IS 1893(Part-1):2016 remains the current standard because the revised zonation was withdrawn in March 2026. Learners should therefore treat Zone VI as a withdrawn 2025 proposal/revision, not as the operative earthquake-design classification.
Key facts
- The 2025 seismic zonation revision was withdrawn in March 2026.
- PIB states that IS 1893(Part-1):2016 remains the current BIS seismic zoning standard.
- Zone VI should be described only as part of the withdrawn 2025 revision, not as the current operative category.
- The current 2016 framework uses Seismic Zones II, III, IV and V.
- The Himalaya remains a high seismic-risk region, but current exam notes must distinguish hazard from the withdrawn legal/code classification.
Mains angle
Q: Why must exam notes distinguish the 2025 seismic zonation revision from the current BIS standard?
Answer (50 words):
The 2025 revision introduced Zone VI for higher Himalayan seismic risk, but PIB later stated that the revised zonation was withdrawn in March 2026 and IS 1893(Part-1):2016 remains current. Therefore, Zone VI is a withdrawn revision, while the operative exam-safe framework is Zones II to V under the 2016 standard.
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Source: BIS / NDMA / PIB / The Hindu
Frequently asked questions
Is Zone VI currently the operative highest seismic zone in India?
No. PIB states that IS 1893(Part-1):2016 remains the current standard because the revised zonation was withdrawn in March 2026.
What should be remembered about the 2025 seismic zonation revision?
It was a 2025 revision that introduced Zone VI, but it should now be presented as withdrawn, not as the current code position.
Which seismic-zone framework remains current after the withdrawal?
The BIS seismic zoning map under IS 1893(Part-1):2016 remains current, using Zones II, III, IV and V.
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