The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is India's apex statutory body for disaster management, established as an institution under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (DM Act, 2005). It is headed by the Prime Minister of India.
The NDMA's creation was formally constituted on September 27, 2006, following the enactment of the DM Act, 2005, which received Presidential assent on December 23, 2005. The need for a robust national system arose after major disasters like the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, the 2001 Bhuj Earthquake, and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, which highlighted the country's previous reactive, relief-centric approach. The Act shifted the focus to proactive disaster risk reduction, preparedness, and mitigation.
The Authority is created under Section 3, sub-section (1) of the DM Act, 2005. It functions by laying down the policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management, including approving the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) and recommending funds for mitigation. The NDMA connects to a three-tier institutional structure, which includes the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). It also works closely with the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) for capacity building and oversees the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The framework saw significant change with the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025, which was passed in March 2025. This amendment introduced specific protocols for urban disasters and climate change-induced risks. Key changes include mandating the creation of Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs) in major metropolitan cities and the establishment of a centralized, real-time National Disaster Database. Despite these amendments, the NDMA remains the apex statutory body, with the Prime Minister as its head, under the overarching Disaster Management Act, 2005.