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Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024 has been passed by the Lok Sabha on December 12, 2024. This bill amends the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
PWOnlyIAS
April 04, 2025
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024, passed in the Lok Sabha, marks a significant step towards a disaster-resilient India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It focuses on preventing damage and saving lives by taking action before disasters happen, instead of just reacting after they occur. By empowering response forces and strengthening disaster preparedness, the bill aligns with PM Modi’s vision of safeguarding citizens against all calamities, ensuring a more secure and resilient Bharat.
The Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024 seeks to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It aims to enhance the effectiveness of disaster management frameworks, strengthen authorities, and promote resilience against future disasters. The bill introduces several key changes and provisions to adapt to emerging disaster-related challenges.
The Disaster Management Act, 2005, establishes:
(i) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)
(ii) State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
(iii) District Disaster Management Authority.
Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024, an essential step towards strengthening India’s disaster resilience, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 1, 2024. The Bill aims to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, bringing it in line with modern-day challenges, especially those arising due to climate change, urbanisation, and increasing disaster vulnerability.
Below is a detailed overview of the amendments proposed under the 2024 Bill and the latest structural changes in India’s disaster management framework.
| Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Provision | Existing Law (Disaster Management Act, 2005) | Amendment Introduced in the 2024 Bill |
| Preparation of Disaster Management Plans | Prepared by National and State Executive Committees; approved by NDMA and SDMA. | Now to be directly prepared by the NDMA and SDMAs. |
| Functions of NDMA & SDMA | Review plans, issue guidelines, and recommend funding for mitigation. | Additional functions: • Stocktaking of risks (incl. climate risks) • Technical assistance • Guidelines for minimum standards of relief • Creation of disaster databases. |
| Post-disaster Assessment | Not explicitly provided. | NDMA to conduct post-disaster audits and assess state preparedness. |
| Regulation-making Power | NDMA could not make regulations independently. | NDMA is empowered to frame regulations with prior approval of the central government. |
| Urban Disaster Management Authority | No provision for city-level authorities. | States may constitute Urban Authorities in state capitals and municipal corporation cities. |
| Disaster Response Forces | Only the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) provided. | States can now form State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF). |
| Statutory Status to Crisis Committees | NCMC and HLC had no statutory status. | Legal recognition to: • National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) • High Level Committee (HLC). |
| Staffing of NDMA | The central government assigned officers and staff. | NDMA can now specify the number/type of staff and hire consultants, with central approval. |
The primary objective of the Disaster Management Amendment Bill, 2024 is to modernize and decentralize disaster governance by:
Enhancing the roles of existing disaster management authorities.
Recognizing emerging climate risks.
Providing legal backing to crisis response bodies.
Promoting urban disaster preparedness.
The Disaster Amendment Bill 2024 introduces significant changes aimed at strengthening India’s disaster management capabilities. Here’s a look at the key changes in the bill:
Under the existing Act, the National Executive Committee (NEC) and State Executive Committee (SEC) were responsible for preparing disaster management plans, which were then approved by NDMA and SDMA respectively.
The Amendment shifts this responsibility directly to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs). This change empowers these apex bodies to:
Prepare national and state-level disaster management plans.
Ensure direct alignment with strategic risk assessments and national climate priorities.
The Bill introduces new, proactive responsibilities for both NDMA and SDMAs, such as:
Periodic review of disaster risks, including emerging threats from extreme climate events.
Technical support to subordinate authorities.
Guidelines for minimum standards of relief in disaster-affected areas.
Development of national and state disaster databases, including:
Type and severity of risks.
Fund allocation and expenditure.
Preparedness and mitigation strategies.
Additionally, NDMA is now responsible for:
Assessing states’ disaster preparedness.
Conducting post-disaster audits of response and recovery operations.
The Bill grants NDMA the authority to frame regulations under the Disaster Management Act, with prior approval from the Central Government. This statutory power will enable quicker decision-making and standard-setting during emergencies.
In a significant move towards urban resilience, the Bill allows state governments to establish Urban Disaster Management Authorities in:
State capitals, and
Cities governed by municipal corporations.
These authorities will be chaired by the Municipal Commissioner, with the District Collector as vice-chairperson. Their mandate includes:
Preparing city-specific disaster management plans.
Coordinating urban risk mitigation and response activities.
The Amendment empowers states to set up a dedicated State Disaster Response Force. While the Act already provided for the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), this addition ensures:
Faster local-level emergency responses.
State-level control over recruitment and operational protocols.
Tailored disaster response depending on state-specific risks.
The Amendment grants legal status to:
National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) – the apex coordination body during severe national disasters. Chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
High Level Committee (HLC) – responsible for approving disaster-related financial assistance to states. Chaired by the concerned Union Minister overseeing disaster management.
These designations formalize and streamline coordination during high-impact emergencies.
7. Revised Provisions for NDMA Appointments
While the existing Act allowed the central government to assign staff to NDMA, the Amendment grants NDMA autonomy to:
Decide the number and category of officers and staff, with prior central approval.
Appoint experts and consultants as needed for specific tasks and risk domains.
This reform promotes a more professional and specialized workforce within NDMA.
The Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024 plays a crucial role in strengthening India’s disaster preparedness and response system. It introduces modern reforms to shift from a reactive to a proactive approach in disaster management. Here is the significance of Disaster Management Amendment Bill 2024:
The implementation of the Disaster Amendment Bill 2024 requires a multi-level approach involving central, state, and district-level authorities. Key steps include:
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