Master10
Disaster Management & Climate Resilience Module

NDMA, Disaster Management Act & Sendai Framework

The institutional framework for disaster management in India was codified through the landmark Disaster Management Act of 2005. It created a three-tier governance architecture comprising the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs). Operative response capabilities are anchored by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), a multi-battalion specialized paramilitary force trained for multi-hazard interventions. Internationally, India aligns its disaster risk governance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030), which succeeded the Hyogo Framework. The Sendai Framework sets seven global targets and four priority action areas, prioritizing disaster risk understanding, risk governance, resilient investment, and effective preparedness for recovery and reconstruction.

Key Concepts & Examination Highlights

  • The Disaster Management Act was enacted on 23 December 2005, establishing NDMA under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister of India.
  • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was constituted under Section 44 of the DM Act, 2005.
  • The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan.
  • The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) serves as the apex national nodal body for capacity building and training.
  • The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) is headed ex-officio by the respective Chief Minister of the State, while the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is co-chaired by the District Magistrate or Collector.
  • The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), first released in 2016 and aligned with the Sendai Framework, provides a horizontal and vertical framework for all disaster management phases in India.
  • The Sendai Framework sets four specific Priority Areas: understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and to 'Build Back Better'.
  • The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) were constituted under Section 46 and 48 of the DM Act 2005 for disaster response financing.
  • The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched by India at the UN Climate Action Summit in New York in 2019, is a global partnership promoting infrastructure climate resilience.
  • The National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), funded jointly with the World Bank, constructs multi-purpose cyclone shelters, coastal embankments, and early warning dissemination systems.
  • The Aapda Mitra scheme, implemented by NDMA, trains community volunteers in disaster response skills across hazard-prone districts in India.
  • The Hyogo Framework for Action (2005–2015) was the predecessor global disaster risk blueprint adopted after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, later superseded by Sendai.
  • The Disaster Management Act, 2005, was enacted by the Parliament of India under the residual legislative powers in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body in India headed by the Prime Minister as its ex-officio Chairperson.
  • State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) are headed by the respective Chief Ministers, while District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) are co-headed by the District Magistrate/Collector and the Chairperson of the Zilla Parishad.
  • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a specialized multi-disciplinary force constituted under Section 44 of the DM Act, functioning under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  • The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), established under the DM Act 2005, undertakes human resource development, capacity building, and research in disaster risk reduction.
  • The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) provide dedicated financial mechanisms for emergency relief and response under the DM Act.
  • The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) was adopted at the Third UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan, succeeding the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015).
  • The Sendai Framework establishes four priority action areas: understanding disaster risk, strengthening governance, investing in resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response and 'Building Back Better'.
  • The Prime Minister's 10-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction, introduced in 2016, outlines principles for integrating DRR into developmental planning and leveraging technology.
  • The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched by India at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, promotes the resilience of new and existing infrastructure systems.
  • Early Warning Systems (EWS) are operated in India by agencies such as IMD for cyclones and weather, INCOIS for tsunamis and storm surges, and CWC for riverine floods.
  • The Aapda Mitra Scheme of NDMA aims to train and equip 100,000 community volunteers in disaster response across flood-prone and landslide-prone districts of India.
  • The National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and State Disaster Mitigation Funds (SDMF) were operationalized following recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission to finance proactive risk mitigation projects.
  • The Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DMA 2005), was enacted by the Parliament of India on December 23, 2005, following the catastrophic 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.
  • The DM Act marked a paradigm shift in India's disaster approach from a reactive, relief-centric model to a proactive, holistic framework of prevention, mitigation, and preparedness.
  • The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the apex statutory body established under Section 3 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
  • The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority.
  • The NDMA comprises a Chairperson and up to nine nominated members, with one member designated as the Vice-Chairperson holding the rank of Cabinet Minister.
  • The National Executive Committee (NEC), headed by the Union Home Secretary, assists the NDMA in executing its statutory functions and coordinates central ministries.
  • State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) are established under Section 14 of the Act, chaired ex-officio by the respective Chief Minister of each state.
  • District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) are established under Section 25, headed by the District Magistrate, Collector, or Deputy Commissioner.
  • The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was constituted under Section 44 of the DM Act as a specialized, dedicated force for disaster response operations.
  • The NDRF operates on a deputation model from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) including BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, and Assam Rifles.
  • The Director General of the NDRF is an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer holding the rank of Director General of Police.
  • State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) have been raised by states on the lines of the NDRF to provide immediate local first-response capabilities.
  • The National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), New Delhi, is the apex statutory institute for training, capacity building, and policy research under the DM Act.
  • The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF Fund) and National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) were established under Sections 46 and 47 of the DM Act.
  • The 15th Finance Commission recommended a unified Disaster Risk Management framework dividing allocations into Response (70%) and Mitigation (30%) funds.
  • The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 was adopted at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Miyagi, Japan, in March 2015.
  • The Sendai Framework succeeds the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.
  • The Sendai Framework sets four priority areas for action: Understanding disaster risk, Strengthening disaster risk governance, Investing in risk reduction, and Enhancing preparedness for effective response.
  • The Sendai Framework established seven global targets to substantially reduce disaster mortality, affected people, economic losses, and critical infrastructure damage by 2030.
  • Target (e) of the Sendai Framework aims to substantially increase the number of countries with national and local disaster risk reduction strategies by 2020.
  • Target (g) of the Sendai Framework mandates substantially increasing the availability of and access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster risk assessments by 2030.
  • The Prime Minister's 10-Point Agenda on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR in New Delhi in 2016.
  • The 10-Point Agenda emphasizes integrating disaster risk reduction into development sectors, leveraging technology, building local community leadership, and women's leadership in DRR.
  • The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an international partnership launched by India at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit in New York.
  • The CDRI Secretariat is headquartered in New Delhi, working to promote the resilience of infrastructure systems to climate and disaster risks.
Curriculum & Reference Sources: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

Sample Solved Questions & Concept Explanations

8 Verified Concept Questions
Q1.EASY

Who serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in India?

Q2.MEDIUM

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, adopted at the Third UN World Conference in 2015, defines the global action roadmap spanning which timeframe?

Q3.MEDIUM

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) was constituted under the statutory authority of which legislation?

Q4.HARD

How many specific global targets (Targets A to G) are codified under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) to evaluate global progress in risk reduction?

Q5.EASY

Who serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) in Indian states under the Disaster Management Act, 2005?

Q6.EASY

Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, who heads the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) as its Chairperson?

Q7.EASY

Which statutory apex institute in India is mandated under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for capacity building, training, research, and documentation in disaster management?

Q8.EASY

Which Union Ministry serves as the nodal administrative ministry for coordinating national disaster management operations in India?