India Climate Zone Map — NBC 2016 Part 11
Five climate zones — Hot-Dry, Warm-Humid, Composite, Temperate, Cold — that drive envelope U-value, SHGC, and ENS / ECBC 2017 compliance for any Indian city. Click any location for the climate zone and the corresponding passive design strategy.
About NBC climate zones
NBC 2016 Part 11 (Approach to Sustainability) Annex A divides India into five climate zones based on temperature, humidity, and seasonal cycle. The zone determines passive-design priorities (orientation, shading, ventilation, thermal mass) and sets the envelope performance targets in ECBC 2017 + ENS 2018.
ECBC envelope targets (commercial)
- Hot-Dry: U-value ≤ 0.40 W/m²K (wall), SHGC ≤ 0.25 (glazing). Avoid east/west glazing; deep shading.
- Warm-Humid: U-value ≤ 0.40, SHGC ≤ 0.27. Cross-ventilation primary; reflective roof; minimize thermal mass.
- Composite: U-value ≤ 0.40, SHGC ≤ 0.25-0.30 by orientation. Balance summer and winter — shading + insulation.
- Temperate: Relaxed targets. Passive design dominates; mechanical conditioning supplementary.
- Cold: U-value ≤ 0.40, focus on insulation + south-facing glazing for solar heat gain.
Related
NBC 2016 — National Building Code · Wind Speed Zone Map · Seismic Zone Map
Frequently asked questions
What is the climate zone of Mumbai?
Mumbai is in the Warm-Humid climate zone per NBC 2016 Part 11. Year-round high humidity (70-90%), mild summer (24-32°C), monsoon-driven. Design priority: cross-ventilation, shading, reflective roof. ECBC SHGC ≤ 0.27 for west/east glazing.
What is the climate zone of Delhi?
Delhi sits in the Composite zone — long hot-dry summer (40-45°C), cool dry winter (0-15°C), heavy monsoon. Design must balance summer (shading + thermal mass) and winter (passive solar + insulation). ECBC SHGC 0.25-0.30 by orientation.
How do climate zones drive ECBC compliance?
ECBC 2017 sets envelope U-value, SHGC, and air-leakage targets that vary by climate zone. Hot-Dry: U ≤ 0.40 W/m²K, SHGC ≤ 0.25. Warm-Humid: U ≤ 0.40, SHGC ≤ 0.27. Composite: similar to Hot-Dry. Temperate: relaxed (passive design dominant). Cold: U ≤ 0.40, focus on insulation + south glazing for solar gain.
What are the 5 NBC climate zones?
Per NBC 2016 Part 11 Annex A: (1) Hot-Dry — Rajasthan, Kutch, west MP; (2) Warm-Humid — coasts, Bengal, NE plains; (3) Composite — north India interior, central India; (4) Temperate — Bangalore, southern peninsular plateau; (5) Cold — Himalayas, Ladakh, J&K, Sikkim, Arunachal hills.
Why is Bengaluru classified as Temperate?
Bengaluru's elevation (~920 m) gives it moderate temperatures year-round (15-30°C) with comfortable humidity (50-70%). Per NBC 2016, this qualifies as the Temperate climate zone — even though the city sits in tropical southern India. Passive design and ventilation handle 60-80% of cooling need; mechanical AC is supplementary.
Climate zones follow NBC 2016 Part 11 Annex A. Hill stations and high-altitude sites (above 1,500m) may transition between Temperate and Cold zones; check site elevation and local micro-climate (urban heat island, coastal cooling, etc.) for actual design decisions.