Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 Brings Major Reforms for Efficient Crisis Response

New law grants statutory status to key committees, establishes Urban Disaster Authorities, and enhances coordination between national and state forces

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, has officially come into effect from April 9, 2025, following its passage in Parliament and Presidential assent on March 29, 2025. The Act introduces a series of significant reforms aimed at improving coordination, transparency, and preparedness in India’s disaster management framework.

Among its major provisions, the Act provides statutory status to key pre-existing bodies such as the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee. It also redefines roles across various levels of disaster management by empowering the National and State Disaster Management Authorities to prepare disaster plans—replacing the earlier roles of Executive Committees.

For the first time, the Act introduces the concept of an Urban Disaster Management Authority for state capitals and large cities with municipal corporations, addressing the growing vulnerability of urban areas to natural and man-made disasters.

Another key feature is the creation of a national and state-level disaster database, which is expected to enhance planning, early warning systems, and evidence-based decision-making.

States are also now enabled to form their own State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs), complementing the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Currently, the NDRF operates 16 battalions with a sanctioned strength of 18,581 personnel.

To foster coordination, the Ministry of Home Affairs, in collaboration with NDRF, conducts joint conferences and mock drills involving SDRFs, Relief Commissioners, and other stakeholders—especially in preparation for monsoon-related disasters. The NDRF also leads community awareness initiatives, capacity building, and training for SDRFs through its Academy in Nagpur and battalion-level programs.

Highlighting recent initiatives, the government organized a National Capacity Building Competition for SDRF teams in April 2025, involving 30 teams from across 29 States and UTs, with the finals held at 8th Battalion NDRF, Ghaziabad.

The reforms underscore the government’s emphasis on strengthening disaster resilience, especially in a time of increasing climate-related and urban challenges. This information was shared by Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.