Why in news?
The archive revisited five appointments notified for the National Disaster Management Authority on 29 August 2025. Three members received fresh terms, while two were newly nominated. Their terms run for three years, subject to further orders.
Background
India once focused mainly on relief after a disaster, and major emergencies exposed the limits of this reactive approach.
The 1999 Odisha super cyclone caused enormous loss, and the 2001 Gujarat earthquake again showed the need for permanent institutions.
Parliament enacted the Disaster Management Act in 2005, and the law created authorities at national, state and district levels.
The National Disaster Management Authority is the country’s apex disaster-policy body. It is a statutory authority under that Act.
Who heads the authority?
The Prime Minister is its ex officio Chairperson, and the Act permits up to nine other members.
The Chairperson may designate one member as Vice-Chairperson, and members can hold responsibility for specified areas of disaster management.
Correct legal limit: The authority can have the Prime Minister and up to nine other members. It is not limited to eight members.
Which appointments were highlighted?
The 2025 notification renewed three existing appointments.
- Rajendra Singh received another term.
- Krishna Swaroop Vatsa received another term.
- Retired Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain received another term.
Dinesh Kumar Aswal and Rita Missal were nominated as new members, and each term begins upon assuming charge.
The notification allows a three-year term or continuation until further orders, and this wording permits an earlier lawful change.
What are its main functions?
- It lays down national disaster-management policies.
- It approves or prepares plans as the law provides.
- It issues guidelines for state authorities and Union ministries.
- It recommends minimum standards of disaster relief.
- It supports prevention, mitigation, preparedness and recovery.
- It can review major risks and conduct post-disaster audits.
- It promotes national disaster databases and public awareness.
How did the 2025 amendment change the system?
Parliament amended the Disaster Management Act during 2025, and the changes strengthened planning, risk assessment and institutional coordination.
- The national authority now prepares the National Plan directly.
- State authorities prepare their respective State Plans.
- Periodic risk reviews must include emerging and climate-related risks.
- Urban disaster authorities may serve state capitals and municipal corporations.
- States may create specialist State Disaster Response Forces.
- National and state authorities can maintain comprehensive disaster databases.
- The amendment gave statutory status to two national coordination committees.
The two committees are the National Crisis Management Committee and High Level Committee. Their roles relate to crisis coordination and financial assistance.
How do major institutions differ?
- The national authority creates policy, plans and guidelines.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs coordinates Union administrative work for disaster management.
- The National Disaster Response Force carries out specialist rescue and response operations.
- The National Institute of Disaster Management focuses on training, research and capacity building.
- State authorities are normally chaired by their Chief Ministers.
- District authorities coordinate local planning under the District Magistrate or Collector.
Do not confuse them: The national authority is mainly a policy body. The specialist response force performs field rescue operations.
Which events count as disasters?
The Act uses a broad definition based on severe loss and disruption. It does not provide one fixed official list of twelve disasters.
Natural hazards include floods, cyclones, earthquakes and landslides, and human-caused emergencies can include industrial, chemical, biological and nuclear incidents.
An event becomes a disaster when its impact exceeds the affected community’s coping capacity. Scale and consequences therefore matter.
Why is mitigation important?
Mitigation reduces future damage before an emergency occurs, and examples include safer buildings, flood zoning and protected coastal ecosystems.
Preparedness covers warnings, drills, emergency supplies and trained teams, and response begins during or immediately after an event.
Recovery restores services, livelihoods and infrastructure, and good recovery should rebuild communities more safely than before.
Conclusion
India’s disaster system now covers prevention, preparedness, response and recovery. Clear institutional roles and local capacity determine whether national plans protect people effectively.