India Pushes Next-Generation Concrete Standards with National Workshop on Durability and Sustainable Construction

The proposed IS 456:2025 draft code is expected to introduce significant changes in how concrete structures are designed, tested, and maintained across India.

India's construction and infrastructure sector is preparing for a major shift toward durability-driven and performance-based concrete design following a high-level national workshop organised by the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) in New Delhi.

The workshop, titled:

"Durability Design and Quality Assurance of Concrete as per IS 456:2025 (Draft)"

brought together leading experts from the construction industry, academia, research institutions, and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to deliberate on the proposed revisions to India's most important concrete design standard — IS 456.

Held at India Habitat Centre on 9 May 2026, the event focused on improving the long-term durability, quality assurance, and sustainability of concrete structures as India undertakes massive infrastructure expansion under national development programmes.

Revised IS 456:2025 Expected to Reshape Concrete Design Standards

The proposed IS 456:2025 draft code is expected to introduce significant changes in how concrete structures are designed, tested, and maintained across India.

Industry experts at the workshop highlighted growing concerns around:

• Premature structural deterioration

• Durability failures

• Rising infrastructure maintenance costs

• Climate resilience

• Construction quality gaps

The revised code is expected to place stronger emphasis on:

• Durability-centric design

• Performance-based specifications

• Quality assurance systems

• Sustainable construction materials

• Improved construction practices

Experts said the changes are increasingly necessary as India builds large-scale infrastructure including:

• Highways

• Metro systems

• Smart cities

• Industrial corridors

• Bridges

• Airports

• Urban housing projects

Major Push for Skill Development in Advanced Concrete Technology

A key highlight of the workshop was the launch of a new:

Six-Month Online Certification Programme on Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT)

The programme has been developed in alignment with the Government of India's broader skill development mission and aims to strengthen technical capacity within the construction and infrastructure sectors.

According to Head-CCE, NCB, Dr Brijesh Singh, the 25-week hybrid programme will combine:

• Weekend online learning sessions

• A four-day on-site practical module at NCB Ballabgarh

The course curriculum will focus on:

• Concrete mix design

• Durability engineering

• Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC)

• Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) operations

• Advanced sustainable concrete technologies

Industry experts say specialised training programmes are becoming increasingly critical as construction technologies evolve and infrastructure standards become more sophisticated.

Industry Debates Readiness for IS 456:2025 Implementation

One of the central discussions during the workshop focused on whether India's construction ecosystem is fully prepared to implement the revised standards under IS 456:2025.

The concluding panel discussion titled:

"Are We Ready to Implement IS 456:2025?"

examined:

• Industry preparedness

• Implementation challenges

• Technical skill gaps

• Capacity building requirements

• Transition to performance-based construction systems

The discussion was moderated by Joint Director, NCB, Er Amit Trivedi.

Experts participating in the session stressed the urgent need for:

• Better enforcement mechanisms

• Stronger QA/QC systems

• Greater technical training

• Wider industry awareness

• Improved compliance culture

They also highlighted the importance of shifting from purely prescriptive specifications toward performance-based approaches that focus on long-term durability and structural performance.

Senior Experts and Institutions Participate

The workshop was inaugurated by Director of CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Prof. Pradeep Kumar Ramancharla, who attended as Chief Guest.

Other senior dignitaries included:

• Deputy Director General (Standardization), BIS, Er Sanjay Pant

• Director General, NCB, Dr L. P. Singh

Technical sessions featured several leading experts from academia and industry, including:

• Joint Director, NCB, Er P. N. Ojha

• Professor, IIT Madras, Prof. Manu Santhanam

• Former Joint Director, NCB, Er V. V. Arora

• Chairman, Tandon Consultants Pvt Ltd, Prof. Mahesh Tandon

The experts shared insights on:

• Concrete durability science

• Construction materials engineering

• Prestressed concrete provisions

• Sustainable concrete technologies

• Quality management systems

Durability Emerging as Key Infrastructure Priority

Infrastructure experts say durability has become one of the most important issues facing India's rapidly expanding construction sector.

Historically, many infrastructure projects in India have suffered from:

• Early deterioration

• Corrosion-related failures

• Inadequate quality control

• High lifecycle maintenance costs

As India scales up investments in transport, housing, industrial infrastructure, and urban development, ensuring long-term structural durability is becoming increasingly critical for economic efficiency and public safety.

Sustainable Construction Gaining Momentum

The workshop also reflected the growing emphasis on sustainable and climate-resilient construction practices.

Advanced sustainable concretes and improved materials engineering are increasingly viewed as essential for:

• Reducing carbon emissions

• Extending infrastructure lifespan

• Improving resource efficiency

• Enhancing resilience to climate conditions

The construction sector is one of the world's largest contributors to carbon emissions, with cement production alone accounting for a significant share of global industrial emissions.

Industry analysts say future building codes and standards are likely to increasingly integrate sustainability, lifecycle performance, and climate resilience considerations alongside traditional structural design requirements.

NCB Expanding Role in Construction Technology Leadership

The National Council for Cement and Building Materials has emerged as one of India's leading institutions in:

• Construction research

• Cement technology

• Infrastructure materials

• Quality systems

• Sustainable construction innovation

The organisation has been actively supporting government initiatives focused on:

• Infrastructure modernisation

• Construction quality improvement

• Technical skill development

• Green construction technologies

Analysts say the workshop signals India's broader effort to modernise construction standards and align infrastructure development with international best practices in durability, sustainability, and engineering excellence.