UPSC GS Paper III: Environment - Disaster Management, NDMA, Sendai Framework, NDRF

Must?Know

• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) established in 2005 under Disaster Management Act, 2005; chaired by Prime Minister, responsible for policy formulation and coordination across states.
• Disaster Management Act, 2005 enacted in response to 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; provides legal framework for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery.
• NDMA issues guidelines for State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), which are headed by respective Chief Ministers as per Section 14 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• National Executive Committee (NEC) of NDMA, constituted under Section 8, comprises secretaries of key ministries (Home, Health, Power, etc.) and supports NDMA in policy implementation.
• National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) raised under Section 46 of Disaster Management Act, 2005; functions under Ministry of Home Affairs and is trained for specialized rescue operations.
• NDRF has 16 battalions as of 2023, each battalion located strategically across India (e.g., Ghaziabad, Pune, Kolkata, Guwahati) to ensure rapid deployment.
• NDRF personnel trained in urban search and rescue (USAR), flood rescue, chemical-biological-radiological-nuclear (CBRN) emergencies, and high-angle rescues per National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) protocols.
• Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030) adopted at Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, Sendai, Japan; succeeded Hyogo Framework (2005–2015).
• Sendai Framework sets seven global targets including reduction in global disaster mortality, number of affected people, economic losses, and damage to critical infrastructure by 2030.
• India ratified Sendai Framework in 2016; aligns national policies with its four priorities: understanding disaster risk, strengthening governance, investing in DRR, enhancing preparedness.
• Sendai Framework is voluntary and non-binding, unlike Paris Agreement; emphasizes risk-informed development and multi-hazard approaches.
• National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), under Ministry of Home Affairs, evolved from National Centre for Disaster Management (1995); responsible for training, capacity building, and research.
• National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), chaired by Cabinet Secretary, activates during major disasters to coordinate inter-ministerial response.
• Cyclone Phailin (2013) marked successful evacuation of over 1 million people in Odisha, showcasing improved early warning and NDRF deployment under NDMA guidelines.
• National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) maintained under Public Accounts of India; funds released based on recommendations of Finance Commission and guidelines of Ministry of Finance.
• State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) contribution shared between Centre and States (90:10 for special category states, 75:25 for others as per 15th Finance Commission, 2021–26).
• Disaster Management Act, 2005 empowers District Magistrate (DM) as Chairperson of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), ensuring local-level coordination.
• DDMA includes elected representatives and NGOs, with at least one-third women members as mandated by Section 25 of Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• National Policy on Disaster Management (2009) outlines 10-point agenda including integration of DRR into development planning, public awareness, and capacity building.
• India’s disaster vulnerability: 58.6% area earthquake-prone (Zone III–V), 12% flood-prone, 8% cyclone-prone, 68% drought-prone (as per NDMA and National Flood Commission data).
• 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 10,000 in India, primarily in Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands; catalyzed institutional reforms including creation of INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services).
• INCOIS operates Tsunami Early Warning Centre (TEWC) in Hyderabad since 2007, providing alerts within 10 minutes of seismic event detection.
• National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) released in 2016, updated in 2019; first national plan aligned with Sendai Framework, covering prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery.
• NDMP categorizes disasters into biological (e.g., pandemics), geo-environmental (e.g., landslides), and man-made (e.g., industrial accidents), with specific action plans.
• NDRF deployed during 2018 Kerala floods, 2020 Cyclone Amphan, 2021 Cyclone Tauktae, and 2023 Himachal Pradesh landslides, demonstrating multi-state operational capability.

Difficulty Level

Intermediate – requires integration of statutory frameworks, institutional roles, and international commitments with recent disaster events.

Common UPSC Traps

Trap: NDMA is a constitutional body – Fact: NDMA is a statutory body established under Disaster Management Act, 2005, not a constitutional body like Election Commission.
Trap: Sendai Framework replaces Hyogo Framework and is legally binding – Fact: Sendai Framework succeeds Hyogo Framework but is voluntary and non-binding, as clarified in UNDRR documentation.
Trap: NDRF operates independently during disasters – Fact: NDRF functions under operational control of NDMA and state authorities; deployed only on request by state governments or MHA.
Trap: SDRF funds are part of Consolidated Fund of India – Fact: SDRF is maintained in Public Account of India, not Consolidated Fund, as per Disaster Management Act, 2005 and Finance Commission guidelines.
Trap: Cyclone warning system is managed by IMD alone – Fact: Cyclone warnings involve IMD for forecasting and INCOIS for tsunami alerts, with dissemination through State Disaster Management Authorities.

Practice MCQs

Question: Consider the following statements about the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction:

1. It is a legally binding international agreement.

2. It sets targets for reducing economic losses due to disasters.

3. It emphasizes the integration of disaster risk reduction into national and local development planning.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Sendai Framework is voluntary and non-binding; it includes Target (c) to reduce direct disaster economic loss in relation to GDP by 2030 and promotes risk-informed development.
Why others fail: Option A is wrong because statement 1 is incorrect—Sendai is not legally binding, unlike Paris Agreement.

Question: Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, who chairs the District Disaster Management Authority?
A) Chief Minister
B) District Magistrate
C) Superintendent of Police
D) Chief Medical Officer
Answer: B
Explanation: Section 25 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 mandates District Magistrate to chair DDMA.
Why others fail: Option A is tempting as CM chairs SDMA, but DDMA is district-level, chaired by DM.

Question: Which of the following is NOT a function of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)?
A) Conducting search and rescue operations during earthquakes
B) Managing quarantine during biological disasters
C) Providing medical assistance during floods
D) Dealing with CBRN emergencies
Answer: B
Explanation: Quarantine management falls under health authorities; NDRF specializes in rescue, not disease containment.
Why others fail: Option D is correct—NDRF is trained for CBRN incidents, making B the only non-core function.

Question: The National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is maintained in which of the following accounts?
A) Consolidated Fund of India
B) Contingency Fund of India
C) Public Account of India
D) Reserve Fund of Ministry of Home Affairs
Answer: C
Explanation: As per Disaster Management Act, 2005 and rules thereunder, NDRF is credited to the Public Account of India.
Why others fail: Option A is tempting because many funds are in Consolidated Fund, but NDRF is an exception.

Question: Which of the following best describes the role of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in disaster management?
A) It is the apex decision-making body during national disasters
B) It coordinates the implementation of NDMA policies and plans
C) It directly commands NDRF battalions during operations
D) It approves financial assistance to affected states
Answer: B
Explanation: NEC, under Section 8 of the Act, assists NDMA in policy execution and coordinates ministries for preparedness and response.
Why others fail: Option A is incorrect—NDMA is apex body, not NEC; NEC supports NDMA.

Question: With reference to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which of the following statements is correct?
A) It led to the immediate enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005
B) It prompted the establishment of the Tsunami Early Warning Centre at INCOIS
C) It caused the highest number of casualties in Andhra Pradesh
D) It was the first disaster to trigger NDRF deployment
Answer: B
Explanation: TEWC was established in 2007 under INCOIS, Hyderabad, as a direct outcome of the 2004 tsunami.
Why others fail: Option A is close—Act was passed in 2005, but tsunami occurred in December 2004, so not immediate; NDRF raised only in 2006.

Question: Which of the following is a target under the Sendai Framework for 2015–2030?
A) Achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030
B) Reduce global disaster mortality by 2030
C) Ensure universal access to health care by 2030
D) Eliminate poverty in disaster-prone areas by 2030
Answer: B
Explanation: Sendai Framework Target (a) aims to substantially reduce global disaster mortality by 2030.
Why others fail: Option A relates to climate goals (Paris Agreement), not Sendai.

Last?Minute Revision

• NDMA established in 2005 under Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Disaster Management Act passed in December 2005, post-2004 tsunami.
• Prime Minister chairs NDMA.
• Chief Minister chairs SDMA.
• District Magistrate chairs DDMA.
• NDRF has 16 battalions as of 2023.
• NDRF raised under Section 46 of Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• NEC comprises secretaries of key central ministries.
• Sendai Framework adopted in 2015, valid till 2030.
• Sendai Framework is non-binding.
• India ratified Sendai Framework in 2016.
• Sendai replaced Hyogo Framework (2005–2015).
• Sendai has seven global targets.
• NIDM evolved from National Centre for Disaster Management (1995).
• NIDM is under Ministry of Home Affairs.
• NCMC chaired by Cabinet Secretary.
• Cyclone Phailin (2013) – large-scale evacuation success.
• NDRF deployed in 2018 Kerala floods.
• SDRF sharing: 90:10 for NE states, 75:25 for others (15th FC).
• NDRF and SDRF are in Public Account, not Consolidated Fund.
• 58.6% of India’s area is earthquake-prone (Zone III–V).
• INCOIS operates Tsunami Early Warning Centre in Hyderabad.
• National Disaster Management Plan first released in 2016.
• NDMP 2019 aligns with Sendai Framework.
• DDMA must include at least one-third women members.
• 2004 tsunami killed over 10,000 in India.