The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is a specialized institution and unit under the Government of India, operating as a dedicated force for disaster response and relief. It was established in 2006 following the enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. The force was created to address the need for a strong, centrally coordinated response mechanism after major calamities, such as the 2004 tsunami and the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake. The NDRF was formally constituted on January 19, 2006.
The NDRF is established under the statutory provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which provides its legal foundation. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), which is the central government's nodal ministry for managing natural disasters. The force is currently composed of 16 battalions, with personnel drawn on deputation from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) like the BSF and CRPF. Each battalion has approximately 1149 personnel. Its mechanism involves providing a specialized response to natural and man-made disasters, including search and rescue operations, medical assistance, and handling CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) emergencies.
The NDRF connects directly to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is the apex body for disaster management in India. It also works in coordination with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The force was initially constituted with 8 battalions in 2006. A key change occurred in October 2007, when the need for the NDRF to be a dedicated force was recognized, moving away from its initial deployment for routine law and order duties. The core mandate of specialized disaster response, as defined by the Disaster Management Act, 2005, has remained constant.