National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in India

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The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in India is a dedicated force for disaster response related operations. It was constituted in the year 2006 “for the purpose of special response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under the Disaster Management Act of 2005. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is under the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). The chairman of NDMA is the Prime Minister.

Formation of NDRF

During the mid nineties, there was a world wide discussion and debate about the need for disaster response and preparedness. Some of the notable ones were the Yokohama Strategy Plan in 1994 and the Hyogo Framework for Action in 2005, adopted by the UN. Around the same period India faced some of its most severe natural calamities like Orissa Super Cyclone in 1999, Gujarat Earthquake in 2001 and Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. This led to the need of comprehensive disaster management plan thus giving rise to the Disaster Management Act on December 26th , 2005. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was constituted to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management.

Initially the personnel of NDRF were deployed for routine law and order duties. In a meeting of the NDMA with the Prime Minister on October 25, 2007, the need of NDRF being made a dedicated force was highlighted and accepted. As a result, on February 14th, 2008, NDRF was made a dedicated force for disaster response related duties, under the unified command of DG NDRF.

Structure and Locations of NDRF

The NDRF battalions are located at sixteen different locations in the country based on the vulnerability profile of the country and to cut down the response time for their deployment at disaster site. At present, National Disaster Response Force consists of 15 battalions including the BSF, CISF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles. Each battalion has 18 specialized search and rescue teams of 45 personnel each including engineers, technicians, electricians, dog squads and medical/ paramedics. The total strength of each battalion is 1,149. All the battalions are equipped and trained to respond to natural and man-made disasters and also during chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.

The current location of NDRF Battalions are as follows:

Assam
West Bengal
Odisha
Tamil Nadu
Maharashtra
Gujarat
Punjab
Uttar Pradesh
Bihar
Andhra Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh
Jammu and Kashmir

Motto of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

The motto of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is ‘आपदा सेवा सदैव सर्वत्र’ which implies Sustained Disaster Response Service under all circumstances. The sincerity and devotion of the NDMA personnel during disasters have earned them the name “Angels in Disaster” by fellow citizens.

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day 2022

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Quiz

Who is the chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)?

(a) The President

(b) The Prime Minister

(d) The Defence Minister

Ans: (b) The Prime Minister

What is the strength of each battalion of NDMA?

(a) 1750

(b) 1149

(d) 1345

Ans: (b) 1149

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Academy will be established in the city of _________________.

(a) Mumbai

(b) Delhi

(d) Nagpur

Ans: (d) Nagpur

The head of NDRF is designated as ___________________.

(a) Director General

(b) Chairman

(d) Director

Ans: (a) Director General

Under which ministry does NDRF function?

(a) Ministry of Defence

(b) Ministry of Home Affairs

(d) Ministry of Civil Affairs

Ans: (b) Ministry of Home Affairs

Since it’s inception, the NDRF has rescued over 1.44 lakh precious human lives and also evacuated more than 7 lakh stranded persons from disaster situations within the country and abroad. The NDRF earned global acclamation for their effective response during Japan Triple Disaster in 2011 and Nepal Earthquake in 2015.

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