The Ministry of Home Affairs held the third meeting of the Governing Body of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) in New Delhi, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The meeting focused on strengthening India’s disaster management systems and pushing towards a “Zero Casualty” goal across all types of emergencies.
What the government is doing
Over the past 12 years, India has shifted its disaster management approach from merely providing relief and rehabilitation to focusing on three pillars: risk reduction, early warning systems, and achieving zero casualties during disasters. The government has achieved several successful zero casualty responses to major disasters.
Funding for disaster response has increased significantly. The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) allocation has grown nearly fourfold, while the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) allocation has increased nearly threefold. Approximately 2.5 lakh crore rupees has been spent on disaster management over the last 11 years. The 16th Finance Commission has also allocated 2 lakh crore rupees for this sector in the coming period.
The Ministry directed all government departments to set up dedicated cells for implementing disaster management agendas. Department heads must review progress every three months. NIDM and NDMA have been asked to issue joint guidelines specifying actions for different types of disasters, with NIDM handling training and response forces implementing on the ground.
The government has also approved a mobile application for disaster management that needs wider promotion through schools and colleges. Four acres of additional land has been allocated to NIDM to expand its capacity. The Disaster Management Act was amended after 20 years, introducing Urban Disaster Management Authorities and establishing digital disaster databases at national and state levels.
What this means for you
Disaster preparedness is becoming more systematic and research-based across India. If you work in government, education or agriculture, your department may soon create a dedicated disaster management cell. Villages and cities are being targeted for transformation into disaster-resilient areas, potentially affecting how local infrastructure and preparedness systems are developed in your region.