Earthquake Preparedness and Disaster Management in India
Environment & Ecology
- PYQs2
- Articles1
Background
India's vulnerability to earthquakes necessitates robust disaster management frameworks for protecting lives, infrastructure, and economic stability. UPSC frequently assesses candidates' understanding of disaster management policies, institutional roles, and mitigation strategies, particularly in the context of India's diverse geographical challenges.
India, due to its diverse physiography and active tectonic plate boundaries, is highly susceptible to various natural disasters, including earthquakes. Effective disaster management involves a multi-pronged approach encompassing risk assessment, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, guided by national policies and institutional frameworks.
Facts & tables
- Seismic Zones
- India is divided into four seismic zones (II, III, IV, V), with Zone V being the highest hazard zone, covering regions like the Kangra-Chamba-Dharamshala belt.
- Monitoring & Early Warning
- The National Center for Seismology (NCS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) continuously monitors seismic activity through the National Seismological Network.
- Policy & Guidelines
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) promotes earthquake preparedness, while the National Building Code (NBC) and Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) seismic design codes provide guidelines for earthquake-resistant construction.
- Comprehensive Strategy
- Government strategy focuses on risk assessment, preparedness, capacity building, strengthening critical infrastructure, promoting retrofitting, and public awareness campaigns.
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Environmental Law & Policy |
| Conceptual area | Physical & Regional Geography |
| Conceptual area | Welfare Schemes & Social Policies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| National Center for Seismology (NCS) | Monitors earthquakes, maintains national seismological network |
| Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) | Oversees ncs and related scientific studies |
| National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) | Promotes earthquake preparedness, coordinates disaster management plans, conducts training and awareness |
| Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) | Develops seismic design codes for construction |
| State Governments | Implements building codes, undertakes disaster management activities, receives assistance |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis
Prelims angle: Factual recall
- NCS (MoES) monitors seismic activity via National Seismological Network.
- NDMA coordinates preparedness, training, and public awareness programs.
- NBC and BIS codes mandate earthquake-resistant construction.
- High-risk areas like Kangra-Chamba are in Seismic Zone V.
- Strategy includes risk assessment, capacity building, and retrofitting of vulnerable structures.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2016 | Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions |
Timeline
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Environmental Law & Policy
Conceptual area
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Physical & Regional Geography
Conceptual area
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Welfare Schemes & Social Policies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2016
Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions
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Prelims 2026
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Earthquake Risk in Kangra-Chamba-Dharamsala Belt
India's earthquake preparedness involves continuous seismic monitoring by NCS, risk assessment, enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes (NBC, BIS), and comprehensive disaster management strategies by NDMA, including capacity building, public awareness, and financial assistance to states, especially in high-risk Seismic Zone V regions.
See also
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Past papers
2016–2026 · 2 questions
In the news
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Earthquake Risk in Kangra-Chamba-Dharamsala Belt
India's earthquake preparedness involves continuous seismic monitoring by NCS, risk assessment, enforcement of earthquake-resistant building codes (NBC, BIS), and comprehensive disaster management strategies by NDMA, including capacity building, public awareness, and financial assistance to states, especially in high-risk Seismic Zone V regions.
Try these PYQs
Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR (National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience), a platform of institutions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, is/are correct ?
1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Botanical Survey of India, Kolkata.
2. Research and Management of Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi.
3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform, the lead institute of which is Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Statement 1 is Correct: The National Institute for Research and Application of Natural Resources to Transform, Adapt and Build Resilience (NIRANTAR) is a collaborative platform under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Ecosystem Survey & Analysis is one of its four thematic verticals, and its lead institute is the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Kolkata. Statement 2 is Incorrect: The Research and Management of Ecosystem Service vertical is led by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, not the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The CZA is merely a participating institute under this vertical. Statement 3 is Correct: The Capacity Development Support vertical focuses on research, education, and capacity building. The lead institute for this vertical is the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal. Therefore, option B is the correct answer.
Which of the following are the key features of ‘National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA)’?
1. The river basin is the unit of planning and management.
2. It spearheads the river conservation efforts at the national level.
3. One of the Chief Ministers of the State through which the Ganga flows becomes the Chairman of NGRBA on a rotation basis.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Statement 1 is correct. National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) is the financing, planning, implementing, monitoring, and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Jal Shakti Ministry. Statement 2 is correct. The mission of the organisation is to safeguard the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse. In July 2014, the NGRBA has been transferred from the Ministry of Environment and Forests to the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Prime Minister is the chair of the Authority.
Other members include the cabinet ministers of ministries that include the Ganges among their direct concerns and the chief ministers of states through which the Ganges River flows.