**Executive Summary**
On May 9, 2026, the National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) conducted a national workshop in New Delhi to discuss durability-centric design and revisions in the draft code IS 456:2025. The event featured the launch of a 25-week hybrid certification programme on Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT) to enhance industry skill sets. Key discussions focused on industry preparedness and the transition toward performance-based specifications and strengthened quality assurance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Workshop Objectives and Revisions**
* Deliberated on durability-centric concrete design and critical revisions proposed in the draft code IS 456:2025.
* Emphasized the transition toward performance-based specifications and more robust quality assurance (QA) practices.
* Featured technical insights on construction materials, mix design, and prestressed concrete provisions.
**Certification Programme Launch**
* Introduced a Six-Month (25-week) Online Certification Programme on Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT).
* Structure includes weekend online sessions supplemented by a four-day on-site module at NCB Ballabgarh.
* Curriculum covers specialized areas including RMC operations, durability, QA/QC systems, and advanced sustainable concretes.
**Industry Readiness and Implementation**
* Conducted a panel discussion titled “Are we ready to implement IS 456:2025?” to identify potential challenges.
* Highlighted the immediate need for capacity building and infrastructure readiness within the construction sector.
* Stressed the importance of aligning industry practices with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) draft updates.
**Impact Analysis**
**Construction Industry Professionals**
**Impact**
They are affected by the proposed technical revisions in IS 456:2025, which shift the focus toward durability and performance-based specifications.
**Action Required**
Professionals should engage in capacity-building initiatives and consider enrolling in the ACT certification programme to align their skills with the new standards.
**Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)**
**Impact**
BIS is responsible for the standardization and oversight of the draft code revisions discussed during the workshop.
**Action Required**
The agency must continue to deliberate with stakeholders from academia and industry to finalize and implement the updated concrete standards.
**Academia and Research Institutions**
**Impact**
These stakeholders provide the technical expertise and research foundation for the new durability-centric design provisions.
**Action Required**
Researchers and professors are expected to share insights on sustainable materials and assist in developing the curriculum for advanced concrete technologies.
Key Entities Referenced
National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB): The primary organization under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry that organized the national workshop and launched the new ACT certification program.
IS 456:2025 (Draft): The draft Indian Standard code for plain and reinforced concrete, focusing on durability-centric design and quality assurance revisions.
Online Certification Programme on Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT): A six-month hybrid training initiative launched to build technical capacity in concrete mix design, sustainability, and quality control.
Skill Development Mission: The national government initiative focused on workforce training with which the new ACT certification program is strategically aligned.
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS): The regulatory body involved in the development and standardization of the IS 456 code discussed during the workshop.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
National Council for Cement and Building
Materials (NCB) Organises National Workshop on
Durability Design and Quality Assurance of
Concrete
NCB Launches Six-Month Online Certification Programme on
Advanced Concrete Technology Aligned with Government’s
Skill Development Mission
Posted On: 14 MAY 2026 4:50PM by PIB Delhi
The National Council for Cement and Building Materials (NCB) organised a National Workshop on
“Durability Design and Quality Assurance of Concrete as per IS 456:2025 (Draft)” on 9 May 2026 at India
Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The workshop brought together stakeholders from the construction industry,
academia, research institutions and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to deliberate on durability-
centric concrete design and key revisions proposed in IS 456.
A key highlight of the workshop was the launch of the Six-Month Online Certification Programme on
Advanced Concrete Technology (ACT), aligned with the Government of India’s skill development
mission. Head-CCE, NCB, Dr. Brijesh Singh, said the 25-week hybrid programme includes weekend
online sessions along with a four-day on-site module at NCB Ballabgarh, covering mix design, durability,
QA/QC systems, RMC operations and advanced sustainable concretes.
The concluding panel discussion on “Are we ready to implement IS 456:2025?” focused on industry
preparedness, implementation challenges and the need for capacity building. The session was moderated
by Joint Director, NCB, Er. Amit Trivedi, with experts emphasizing performance-based specifications and
strengthened quality assurance practices. Head-CIS, NCB, Shri G. J. Naidu, proposed the vote of thanks at
the conclusion of the event.
The programme was inaugurated by Director, CSIR-Central Building Research Institute, Prof. Pradeep
Kumar Ramancharla, as Chief Guest, in the presence of Deputy Director General (Standardization),
Bureau of Indian Standards, Er. Sanjay Pant, as Guest of Honour, and Director General, National Council
for Cement and Building Materials, Dr. L. P. Singh.
Technical sessions featured Joint Director, NCB, Er. P. N. Ojha; Professor, Indian Institute of Technology
Madras, Prof. Manu Santhanam; Ex-Joint Director, NCB, Er. V. V. Arora; and Chairman, Tandon
Consultants Private Limited, Prof. Mahesh Tandon. The experts shared insights on durability design,
construction materials, QA/QC systems and prestressed concrete provisions aligned with the draft code.***
Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2261032) Visitor Counter : 234
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