Last reviewed 4 Nov 2026 · Facts as of 4 Nov 2026 · 3 min read
1. Shift in approach
Before 2005 India's approach was relief-centric (the Ministry of Agriculture handled droughts and floods; relief codes in states). After the Odisha super cyclone (1999), Bhuj earthquake (2001) and 2004 tsunami, India moved to a holistic, pro-active approach focused on prevention, mitigation and preparedness. The High Powered Committee (J. C. Pant, 1999) prepared the groundwork.
2. Disaster Management Act, 2005
| Level | Body | Chair |
|---|---|---|
| National | National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) — lays down policies, plans, guidelines | Prime Minister |
| National | National Executive Committee (NEC) — coordinates and implements | Union Home Secretary |
| State | State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) | Chief Minister |
| State | State Executive Committee | Chief Secretary |
| District | District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) | District Collector / Magistrate (the elected head of the zila parishad is co-chair) |
- NDRF — National Disaster Response Force (Section 44): specialised response force; battalions drawn from the central armed police forces; under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- NIDM — National Institute of Disaster Management (Section 42): training, research and capacity building.
- Funds: National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for relief; National and State Disaster Mitigation Funds (set up following the 15th Finance Commission).
- Plans: National Plan, State Plans, District Plans; every ministry and department must prepare its own DM plan.
- Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 — gives NDMA and SDMAs statutory power to prepare the plans themselves, provides for disaster databases at national and state levels, and for Urban Disaster Management Authorities in state capitals and large cities.