0%

Indian Standards (IS) Codes: What You Need To Know In 2026

By: PEng Katepa

On: January 28, 2026

Indian Standards (IS) Codes

Indian Standards (IS) Codes refer to the engineering Standards published by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to help engineers in daily engineering activities.

These documents outline mandatory and recommended practices for design, materials, testing, construction, and safety across various engineering disciplines, with a particular focus on civil engineering.

Furthermore, in civil engineering and structural design practice, Indian Standards (IS) Codes are used for structural design, loading, material specifications, detailing, and quality control.

Indian Standards (IS) Codes

The following are the downloadable links where any Engineer can download and use them for free. The Indian Standards (IS) Code books are classified into different Sections and downloadable links as follows:

1. Indian Standards (IS) Codes For Cement, Concrete, Aggregates, and RCC

01Specification for Pulverised Fuel Ash, Part 1: For Use as Pozzolana in Cement, Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS: 269: 1989
02Ordinary Portland  Cement, 43 grade- specificationIS 8112:1989
03Ordinary Portland Cement, 53 grade- specificationIS 12269:1987
04Rapid hardening Portland cement – SpecificationIS 8041:1990
05Sulphate-resisting Portland – SpecificationIS 12330:1988
06Portland Slag Cement – SpecificationIS – 455:1989
07Super sulphated cement – SpecificationIS 6909:1990
08Low-heat Portland cement – SpecificationIS 12600:1989
09Portland pozzolana cement Part 1 (Flyash based) – SpecificationIS: 1489-1:1991
10Portland pozzolana cement (calcined clay-based) – SpecificationIS: 1489-2:1991
11White Portland cement – SpecificationIS 8042:1989
12Hydrophobic Portland cement – SpecificationIS 8043:1991
13Masonry cement – SpecificationIS 3466:1988
14Oil-well cement – SpecificationIS 8229:1986
15High alumina cement for structural use – SpecificationIS 6452:1989
16Specification for Standard Sand for Testing of CementIS 650:1991
17Integral Waterproofing Compounds for Cement Mortar and Concrete -SpecificationIS 2645:2003
18Method of Test for Permeability of Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 3085:1965
19Methods of sampling hydraulic cementIS 3535:1986
20Specification for Pulverised Fuel Ash, Part 2: For Use as Admixture in Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 3812-1:2013
21Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 2: Determination of fineness by specific surface by the Blaine air permeability methodIS 3812-2:2013
22Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 1: Determination of fineness by dry sievingIS 4031-1:1996
23Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 2: Determination of fineness by specific surface by Blaine air permeability methodIS 4031-2:1996
24Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 3: Determination of soundnessIS 4031-3:1988
25Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 4: Determination of consistency of standard cement pasteIS 4031-4:1988
26Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 5: Determination of initial and final setting timesIS 4031-5:1988
27Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 6: Determination of compressive strength of hydraulic cement (other than masonry cement)IS 4031-6:1988
28Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 7: Determination of compressive strength of masonry cementIS 4031-7:1988
29Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 8: Determination of transverse and compressive strength of plastic mortar using a prismIS 4031-8:1988
30Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 9: Determination of heat of hydrationIS 4031-9:1988
31Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 10: Determination of drying shrinkageIS 4031-10:1988
32Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 11: Determination of densityIS 4031-11:1988
33Methods of physical tests for hydraulic cement, Part 12: Determination of air content of hydraulic cement mortarIS 4031-12:1988
34Methods of Physical Tests for Hydraulic Cement, Part 13: Measurement of Water Retentivity of Masonry CementIS 4031-13:1988
35Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement, Part 14: Determination of false setIS 4031-14:1989
36Methods of physical test for hydraulic cement, Part 15: Determination of fineness by wet sievingIS 4031-15:1991
37Method of chemical analysis of hydraulic cementIS 4032:1985
38Definitions and terminology relating to hydraulic cementIS 4845:1968
39Specification for flow table for use in tests of hydraulic cement and pozzolanic materialsIS 5512:1983
40Dimensions and materials of cement rotary kilns, components and auxiliaries (dry process with suspension preheater)IS 8125:1976
41Specification for jolting apparatus for testing cementIS 10078:1982
42Specification for vibration machine for standard cement mortar cubesIS 10080:1982
43Specification for apparatus for measurement of water retentivity of masonry cementIS 10850:1984
44Specification for the jolting apparatus for testing cementIS 10890:1984
45Specification for a calorimeter for the determination of the heat of hydration of hydraulic cementIS 11262:1985
46Specification for calorimeter for the determination of the heat of hydration of hydraulic cementIS 11263:1985
47Specification for granulated slag for the manufacture of Portland slag cementIS 12089:1987
48Method for colourimetric analysis of hydraulic cementIS 12423:1988
49Methods of analysis of hydraulic cement by X-ray fluorescence spectrometerIS 12803:1989
50Method of analysis of hydraulic cement by atomic absorption spectrophotometerIS 12813:1989
51Specification for Coarse and Fine Aggregates From Natural Sources For ConcreteIS 383:1970
52Coarse and Fine Aggregate for Concrete – SpecificationIS 383:2016
53Plain and Reinforced Concrete – Code of PracticeIS 456:2000
54Specification for the planetary mixer used in tests of cement and pozzolanaIS 457:1957
55Method of Tests for Strength of ConcreteIS 516:1959
56Methods of sampling and analysis of  concreteIS 1119:1959
57Code of Practice for Prestressed ConcreteIS 1343:1980
58Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete, Part I: Particle Size and ShapeIS 2386-1:1963
59Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 2: Estimation of harmful materials and organic impuritiesIS 2386-2:1963
60Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 3: Specific gravity, density, voids, absorption and bulkingIS 2386-3:1963
60Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 4: Mechanical propertiesIS 2386-4:1963
62Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete, Part V: SoundnessIS 2386-5:1963
63Methods of test for aggregates for concrete, Part 6: Measuring mortar-making properties of fine aggregatesIS 2386-6:1963
64Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete, Part VII: Alkali Aggregate ReactivityIS 2386-7:1963
65Methods of Test for Aggregates for Concrete, Part VIII: Petrographic ExaminationIS 2386-8:1963
66Methods for Sampling of Aggregates for ConcreteIS 2430:1986
67Code of Practice for Bending and Fixing of Bars for Concrete ReinforcementIS 2502:1963
68Specification for Pulverised Fuel Ash, Part 1: For Use as Pozzolana in Cement, Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 2645:2003
69Methods of testing bond in reinforced concrete, Part 1: Pull-out testIS 2770-1:1967
70Method of Test for Permeability of Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 3085:1965
71Code of practice Concrete structures for the storage of liquids, Part 1: General requirementsIS 3370-1:2009
72Code of Practice Concrete structures for the storage of liquids, Part 2: Reinforced concrete structuresIS 3370-2:2009
73Code of Practice Concrete structures for the storage of liquids, Part 3: Prestressed concrete structuresIS 3370-3:2009
74Code of practice for concrete structures for the storage of liquids, Part 4: Design tablesIS 3370-4:2009
75Code of practice for the use of immersion vibrators for consolidating concreteIS 3558:1983
76Specification for Pulverised Fuel Ash, Part 1: For Use as Pozzolana in Cement, Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 3812-1:2003
77Specification for Pulverised Fuel Ash, Part 2: For Use as Admixture in Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 3812-1:2013
78Specification for Pulverised Fuel Ash, Part 2: For Use as Admixture in Cement Mortar and ConcreteIS 3812-2:2003
79Specification for Methods of Test for Determination of Water-Soluble Chlorides in Concrete AdmixturesIS 3812-2:2013
80Methods for testing the performance of batch-type concrete mixersIS 4634:1991
81Code of Practice Ready-Mixed ConcreteIS 4926:2003
82Recommendations for detailing reinforcement in reinforced concrete worksIS 5525:1969
83Method of Test Splitting Tensile Strength of ConcreteIS 5816:1999
84Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part I: Concrete aggregatesIS 6461-1:1972
85Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part II: Materials (Other than Cement and Aggregate)IS 6461-2:1972
86Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part III: concrete reinforcementIS 6461-3:1972
87Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 4: Types of ConcreteIS 6461-4:1972
88Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 5: Formwork for concreteIS 6461-5:1972
89Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 6: Equipment, tools and plantIS 6461-6:1972
90Glossary of Terms Relating to Cement Concrete, Part 7: Mixing, Laying, Compaction, Curing and Other Construction AspectsIS 6461-7:1973
91Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 8: Properties of concreteIS 6461-8:1973
92Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 9: Structural aspectsIS 6461-9:1973
93Glossary of Terms Relating to Cement Concrete, Part 10: Tests and Testing ApparatusIS 6461-10:1973
94Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 11: Prestressed concreteIS 6461-11:1973
95Glossary of terms relating to cement concrete, Part 12: MiscellaneousIS 6461-12:1973
96Method of making, curing and determining compressive strength of accelerated-cured concrete test specimensIS 6925:1973
97Recommendations for the use of table vibrators for consolidating concreteIS 7246:1974
98Specification for concrete slump test apparatusIS 7320:1974
99Specification for apparatus for determining constituents of fresh concreteIS 7325:1974
100Method of test for determining the setting time of concrete by penetration resistanceIS 8142:1976
101Method of making, curing and determining compressive strength of accelerated-cured concrete test specimensIS 9013:1978
102Specification for Concrete AdmixturesIS 9103:1999
103Requirements for a compression testing machine used for testing concrete and mortarIS 9142:1974
104Method of test for abrasion resistance of concreteIS 9284:1979
105Specification for apparatus for flexural testing of concreteIS 9399:1979
106Specification for pressure meter for the determination of air content of freshly mixed concreteIS 9459:1980
107Requirements for a compression testing machine used for testing of concrete and mortarIS 9799:1981
108Specification for cylindrical metal measures for use in tests of aggregates and concreteIS 10079:1982
109Specification for moulds for use in tests of cement and concreteIS 10086:1982
110Guidelines for concrete mix design proportioningIS 10262:2009
111Code of practice for the use of screed board concrete vibratorsIS 11993:1987
112General requirements for pan mixers for concreteIS 12119:1987
113Guidelines for falsework for concrete structuresIS 14687:1999
114Requirements for a compression testing machine used for testing concrete and mortarIS 14858:2000
115Method of Test determination of water-soluble and acid-soluble chlorides in mortar and concrete, Part 1: Fresh mortar and concreteIS 14959-1:2001
116Method of Test determination of water-soluble and acid-soluble chlorides in mortar and concrete, Part 2: Hardened mortar and concreteIS 14959-2:2001
117Design Aids for Reinforced  Concrete to IS 456:1978SP 16:1980
118Handbook on Concrete MixesSP 23:1982
119Explanatory Handbook on Indian Standard Code of Practice for Plain and Reinforced Concrete (IS 456:1978)SP 24:1983
120Handbook on Concrete Reinforcement and DetailingSP 34:1984

2. Indian Standards (IS) Codes for Structural Engineering and structural sections:

01General Construction In Steel – Code of PracticeIS 800:2007
02Code of Practice for Use of Cold-Formed Light Gauge Steel Structural Members In General Building ConstructionIS 801:1975
03Code of Practice for Use of Structural Steel In Overhead Transmission Line Towers, Part 1 Materials,
Loads and Permissible Stresses, Section 1: Materials and Loads
IS 802-1-1:1995
04Code of Practice for Use of Structural Steel In Overhead Transmission Line Towers, Part 1: Material,
Loads and Permissible Stress, Section 2: Permissible Stress
IS 802-1-2:1992
05Code of Practice for Use of Structural Steel In Overhead Transmission Line Towers, Part 1: Materials,
Loads and Permissible Stresses, Section 1: Materials and Loads
IS 802-2:1978
06Code of Practice for Use of Structural Steel In Overhead Transmission Line Towers, Part 3 TestingIS 802-3:1978
07Code of Practice for Use of Structural Steel in Overhead Transmission Line Towers, Part 2: Fabrication, Galvanising,
Inspection and Packing
IS 803:1946
08Rectangular Pressed Steel Tanks –IS 804:1967
09Code of Practice for Use of Steel in Gravity Water TanksIS 805:1968
10Code of Practice for Use of Steel Tubes In General Building ConstructionIS 806:1968
11Code of Practice for Design, Fabrication and Erection of Vertical Mild Steel Cylindrical Welded Oil Storage TanksIS 808:1989
12Cold Formed Light Gauge Structural Steel Sections –IS 811:1987
13Hot rolled and slit steel tee barsIS 1173:1978
14Hot-rolled steel bulb angles: DimensionsIS 1252:1991
15Hot-rolled and slit steel tee barsIS 1730:1989
16Steel Bars are round and square for structural and general engineering purposesIS 1732:1989
17Dimensions for steel plates, sheets, strips and flats for general engineering purposesIS 1852:1985
18rolled steel bulb flatsIS 1863:1979
19Hot-rolled steel L-sections for shipbuildingIS 1864:1979
20Steel Sheet Piling SectionsIS 2314:1986
21Tubular Steel Poles for Overhead Power LinesIS 2713-1to3:1980
22Steel ScaffoldingsIS 2750:1964
23Crane rail sectionsIS 3443:1980
24Aluminium equal leg anglesIS 3908:1986
25Aluminium Unequal Leg AnglesIS 3909:1986
26Aluminium channelsIS 3921:1985
27Hot Rolled Steel Channel Sections for General Engineering Purposes – DimensionsIS 3954:1991
28Light railsIS 3964:1980
29Code of practice for high-strength bolts in steel structuresIS 4000:1992
30Code of practice for steel tubular scaffolding, Part 1: Definitions and materialsIS 4014-1:1967
31Rolling and cutting tolerances for hot-rolled steel productsIS 5384:1985
32Dimensions and dimensional tolerances for hot rolled steel plates for the ship’s hull structureIS 5488:1987
33Aluminium tee-sectionsIS 6445:1985
34Aluminium bulb angles for marine applicationIS 6449:1987
35Aluminium tee bars for marine applicationIS 6475:1987
36Aluminium bulb plates for marine applicationIS 6476:1987
37Code of practice for design and construction of steel chimneys, Part 1: Mechanical aspectsIS 6533-1:1989
38Code of practice for design and construction of steel chimneys, Part 2: Structural aspectsIS 6533-2:1989
39Safety code for the erection of Structural SteelworkIS 7205:1974
40Dimensions and dimensional tolerances for hot-rolled steel plates for the ship’s hull structureIS 7215:1974
41Specification for hot-rolled steel sections for doors, windows and ventilatorsIS 7452:1990
42slotted sectionsIS 8081:1976
43Tolerances for the fabrication of steel structuresIS 8147:1976
44Code of Practice for the Use of Aluminium Alloys in StructuresIS 8640:1977
45Criteria for Design of Steel Bins for Storage of Bulk Materials, Part 1: General Requirements and Assessment of LoadsIS 9178-1:1979
46Criteria for Design of Steel Bins for Storage of Bulk Materials, Part 2: Design CriteriaIS 9178-2:1979
47Criteria for Design of Steel Bins for Storage of Bulk Materials, Part 3: Bins Designed for Mass Flow and Funnel FlowIS 9178-3:1980
48Recommendations for maintenance and operation of petroleum storage tanks, Part 1:
Preparation of tanks for safe entry and work
IS 9964-1:1981
49Recommendations for Maintenance and Operation of Petroleum Storage Tanks, Part 2: InspectionIS 9964-2:1981
50Dimensions and Tolerances for Hot Rolled Track Shoe Sections, Part I: Section TS-L1IS 10182-1:1982
51Dimensions and tolerances for hot-rolled track shoe sections, Part 2: Section TS-H1IS 10182-2:1985
52Code of practice for design, fabrication, testing and installation of underground/above-ground horizontal
cylindrical storage tanks for petroleum products
IS 10787:1992
53Hot Rolled Parallel Flange Steel Sections for Beams, Columns and Bearing Piles – Dimensions and Section PropertiesIS 12778:2004
54Recommendations for dimensional parameters for an industrial buildingIS 12779:1989
55Tolerances for the erection of steel structuresIS 12843:1989
56Design and installation of natural gas pipelines – Code of Practice, Part 1: Laying of pipelinesIS 15663-1:2006
57Design and installation of natural gas pipelines – Code of Practice, Part 2: Laying of pipelines in crossingsIS 15663-2:2006
58Design and installation of natural gas pipelines – Code of Practice: Part 3 Pre-commissioning and commissioning of pipelinesIS 15663-3:2006
59Rolling and cutting tolerances for hot-rolled parallel flange beam and column sectionsSP 6-1:1964
60ISI Handbook for Structural Engineers -Part 2 Steel Beams and Plate GirdersSP 6-2:1962
61ISI Handbook for Structural Engineers -Part 3 Steel Columns and StrutsSP 6-3:1962
62ISI Handbook for Structural Engineers -Part 4 Use of High Strength Friction Grip BoltsSP 6-4:1969
63Handbook for Structural Engineers -Part 5 Cold-Formed, Light-Gauge Steel StructuresSP 6-5:1980
64Handbook for Structural Engineers -Part 6 Application of Plastic Theory In Design of Steel StructuresSP 6-6:1972
65Handbook for Structural Engineers -Part- 7: Simple Welded GirdersSP 6-7:1972

3. Indian Standards (IS) Codes for Building Construction Practices, including Painting, Varnishing and Allied Finishing:

01Design of Structural  Timber In Building -Code of PracticeIS 833:1994
02Equivalent Metric Units For Scales, Dimensions, and Quantities In General Construction WorkIS 965:1963
03Code of practice for fixing wall coveringsIS 1414:1989
04Code of Practice for  Painting of Ferrous Metals in Buildings, Part 1: PretreatmentIS 1414-1:1971
05Code of practice for the painting of ferrous metals in buildings, Part 2: PaintingIS 1414-2:1971
06Construction of Stone Masonry – Code of Practice, Part 1: Rubble Stone MasonryIS 1597-1:1992
07Code of practice for construction of stone masonry, Part 2: Ashlar masonryIS 1597-2:1992
08Equivalent Metric Units For Scales, Dimensions, and Quantities In General Construction WorkIS 1634:1992
09Code of practice for design and construction of flues and chimneys for domestic heating appliancesIS 1649:1962
10Hot Applied Sealing Compounds for Joints in Concrete- SpecificationIS 1834:1984
11Code of practice for the design and construction of wood stairs for housesIS 1838-1:1983
12Preformed fillers for expansion joints in concrete pavement and structures (non-extruding and resilient type): Part 1 Bitumen impregnated fibre – SpecificationIS 1838-2:1984
13Preformed fillers for expansion joints in concrete pavement and structure (non-extruding and resilient type) Part 2 CNSL Aldehyde resin and coconut pith – SpecificationIS 1838-3:2011
14Code of Practice for Structural Use of Unreinforced MasonryIS 1905:1987
15Preformed Fillers for Expansion Joints in Concrete Pavements and Structures(non-extruding and resilient type) Part 3 Polymer-BasedIS 1946:1961
16Code of practice for the use of fixing devices in walls, ceilings and floors of solid constructionIS 2110:1980
17Code of practice for flat-roof finish: mud phuskaIS 2115:1980
18Sand for masonry mortars – SpecificationIS 2116:1980
19Code of Practice for Construction of Jack-Arch Type of Bult-up Floor or RoofIS 2118:1980
20Code of practice for in-situ construction of walls in buildings with soil-cementIS 2119:1980

4. Special Structures

01Criteria for design of reinforced concrete shell structures and folded platesIS 2210:1988
02Code of practice for composite constructionIS 3935:1966
03Criteria for design of reinforced concrete archesIS 4090:1967
04Criteria for design of reinforced concrete bins for storage of granular and powdery materials, Part 1: General requirements and assessment of bin loadsIS 4995-1:1974
05Criteria for Design of Reinforced Concrete Bins for Storage of Granular and Powdery Materials, Part II: Design CriteriaIS 4995-2:1974
06Criteria for design of reinforced concrete chimneys, Part 1: Assessment of loadsIS 4998-1:1992
07Code of Practice for Composite Construction in Structural Steel and ConcreteIS 11384:1985
08Criteria for the structural design of reinforced concrete natural draught cooling towersIS 11504:1985
09Criteria for design of RCC staging for overhead water tanksIS 11682:1985
10Handbook on Structures with Reinforced Concrete Portal Frames (Without Cranes)SP 43:1987

Wrapping Up

Indian Standards (IS) Codes are issued as individual standards. Publishers compile them into IS Code Books by various disciplines such as Structural, Geotechnical, Transportation, Timber and Timber Stores, Fire Fighting, Furniture, etc.

Engineers should always verify that they are using the latest version.

To be continued.!!

PEng Katepa

I am a Civil Engineer with a strong interest in sustainable structural design and construction project management. As a Registered Engineer, I adhere to the principles of Professional ethics, safety, and technical excellence.

Join WhatsApp

Join Now

Join Facebook

Join Now

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.