The MSK (Medvedev-Sponheuer-Karnik) intensity broadly associated with the various seismic zones is VI (or less), VII, VIII and IX (and above) for Zones 2, 3, 4 and 5, respectively, corresponding to Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE). The IS code follows a dual design philosophy: (a) under low probability or extreme earthquake events (MCE) the structure damage should not result in total collapse, and (b) under more frequently occurring earthquake events, the structure should suffer only minor or moderate structural damage.
The MSK intensity, which correlates with various seismic zones, ranges from VI (or lower) up to IX (and higher). For Zones 2, 3, 4, and 5, these intensities correspond to the Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE): VII, VIII, and IX. The IS code adopts a dual approach: in extreme earthquake events (MCE), structures should not collapse; while for typical seismic occurrences, minor or moderate damage is sufficient.