National Framework for Structural Safety Audits and Seismic Resilience
The Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has established a national framework for structural safety audits and seismic resilience of buildings through coordinated efforts with multiple government agencies. As per the 12th Schedule of the Constitution of India, urban planning including building plan approvals and enforcement of building bye-laws remains the function of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and Urban Development Authorities, with the Government of India supplementing state efforts through schematic interventions and advisories.
MoHUA has published Model Building Bye-Laws (MBBL) – 2016, where Chapter-6 specifically deals with Provisions for Structural Safety, laying down guidelines and standards relating to structural safety and seismic resilience of buildings. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, has formulated various standards including IS 1893 (Criteria for Earthquake Resistant Design of Structures) and IS 4326:2013 (Earthquake resistant design and construction of buildings – Code of Practice, third revision) for adoption and enforcement by States/UTs and Urban Local Bodies.
Additionally, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued National Disaster Management Guidelines on Management of Earthquakes, which provide guidance on earthquake risk reduction including measures for safer construction, structural strengthening and retrofitting of buildings, particularly lifeline and critical infrastructure. The regulation and enforcement relating to periodic structural and seismic safety audits, building inspection regimes, and compliance requirements remain within the domain of States/Union Territories and ULBs.
This framework information was provided by the Minister of State for Housing & Urban Affairs, Shri Tokhan Sahu, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha on July 23, 2026.