Fire safety norms diluted as mandatory rules become advisory under new framework.

Government Replaces National Building Code with Voluntary Construction Standards.

The central government has replaced the National Building Code (NBC) with the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), officially withdrawing the earlier code and redefining it as a set of voluntary guidelines. The move follows recommendations from the Deregulation Cell under the Cabinet Secretariat, aimed at reducing regulatory rigidity and encouraging flexibility and innovation in the construction sector. One of the most significant changes relates to fire and life safety provisions. While these rules were earlier framed as mandatory using the term “shall,” the new standards use the word “should,” making them advisory rather than binding. Experts warn that this linguistic shift could weaken enforcement and accountability. Additionally, the height threshold for mandatory fire safety compliance has been raised. Earlier, residential buildings above 15 metres had to comply with fire safety norms; under NBCS, this applies only to buildings 24 metres and taller. Experts note that state fire authorities will now need to draft detailed local compliance rules, raising concerns about uneven implementation across states.