New framework seeks to strengthen state-level disaster preparedness, reduce routine dependence on the NDRF, and create specialised response forces across India over the next five years.
The Union government has issued detailed guidelines directing states and Union Territories to establish, equip and train specialised State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) over the next five years.
The move is aimed at creating a stronger, decentralised disaster response system across the country, allowing states to respond to local emergencies without routinely depending on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The guidelines were issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in June this year and were made public this week. They follow the amended Disaster Management Act, 2025, passed by Parliament last year, which made it mandatory for every state and Union Territory to maintain a dedicated SDRF.
Several states already have SDRFs in some form. However, their strength, capabilities and training standards vary considerably. In many cases, these forces exist largely on paper, while the NDRF continues to shoulder much of the actual disaster response burden.
The new framework seeks to address that gap by providing states with a uniform model for creating fully functional, specialised units capable of responding to both natural and man-made disasters.
A Framework for Decentralised Response
The central idea behind the guidelines is simple. States should be capable of handling localised and immediate emergencies on their own, while the NDRF focuses on the most severe and complex disasters.
The guidelines classify such catastrophic, large-scale events as “L-3” disasters. These situations require advanced capabilities, specialised training and dedicated mentoring.
The NDMA has cautioned against excessive dependence on the NDRF even for relatively minor emergencies. Such dependence, it argues, can weaken the country's specialised national response capacity.
It can also create delays when a major disaster affects a large area, disrupting communications and placing simultaneous demands on limited national resources.
A capable SDRF, therefore, is expected to provide a rapid and specialised response closer to the point of disaster, helping states undertake life-saving operations without waiting for national-level assistance.
Structure, Strength and Recruitment
The guidelines recommend organising SDRFs broadly along the battalion model used by the NDRF.
Each battalion is expected to have between 600 and 1,200 personnel and be headed by an officer of the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
A battalion can subsequently be divided into nine to 10 multidisciplinary and self-sufficient teams, with each team comprising around 45 to 50 responders.
These teams are expected to have their own rescue, medical, communications and logistics capabilities, allowing them to operate independently during emergencies.
The proposed SDRF structure is also highly specialised. Units are expected to include engineers, technicians, medical personnel, communications specialists, dog handlers, divers and personnel trained in CBRN response covering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies.
The objective is to create a force capable of responding to a wide range of disasters rather than relying on a single category of rescue personnel.
Focus on Younger and Specialised Personnel
The guidelines call for the recruitment of young and physically fit personnel, with an upper age limit of 50 years for responders.
For direct recruitment, preference is to be given to Agniveers and candidates holding National Cadet Corps (NCC) certificates, taking into account their physical training, discipline and experience.
The framework also provides for 15% of the total openings to be reserved for women.
Apart from direct recruitment, potential sources of personnel include state armed police and police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the armed forces, ex-servicemen, particularly those with engineering backgrounds, and former NDRF personnel.
Deployment Based on Local Risk
The guidelines place considerable emphasis on adapting SDRF deployment to the specific risks faced by different regions.
In hill states, for example, teams could be divided to cover different valleys, pilgrimage routes and landslide-prone areas. States have also been asked to plan seasonal and anticipatory deployment during periods when disaster risks are higher.
This could include positioning personnel in advance during the monsoon, winter and periods of heavy pilgrimage traffic.
The approach reflects a shift from responding to disasters only after they occur to maintaining a level of preparedness based on predictable seasonal and geographical risks.
SDRFs to Play a Preventive Role
The proposed forces will not be limited to emergency rescue operations.
The guidelines assign SDRFs a preventive role as well, requiring them to conduct safety audits and validation mock exercises at locations that attract large crowds.
These include recreational, tourist and religious sites, particularly places associated with water-based activities such as rivers, reservoirs, waterfalls, ghats, beaches, dams and water parks.
SDRF personnel are also expected to assist with preparedness at large religious gatherings, including melas, yatras and festival venues.
The intention is to identify vulnerabilities before an emergency occurs and ensure that local authorities and emergency responders are prepared to act quickly if something goes wrong.
Clear Limits on the SDRF Mandate
At the same time, the NDMA has drawn a clear line around the role of the new forces.
The guidelines state that SDRFs should not be deployed in situations requiring the use of armed force or law-and-order enforcement.
Their mandate is intended to remain focused on disaster response, rescue, preparedness and public safety rather than policing or security operations.
A Shift Toward Stronger State-Level Preparedness
With states and Union Territories expected to develop their SDRFs over the next five years, the new framework could significantly reshape India's disaster-response architecture.
The broader objective is to ensure that specialised help is available closer to where disasters actually occur, particularly in areas repeatedly affected by floods, landslides and other regional hazards.
For the NDRF, a stronger network of state-level forces could mean fewer deployments for routine emergencies and greater capacity to concentrate on catastrophic disasters.
For states, the challenge now will be turning the framework into functioning ground-level units, with trained personnel, specialised equipment, local risk mapping and regular exercises.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend not merely on creating SDRF battalions on paper, but on whether they are adequately staffed, trained, equipped and deployed before disasters strike.
The Union government has issued detailed guidelines directing states and Union Territories to establish, equip and train specialised State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) over the next five years.
The move is aimed at creating a stronger, decentralised disaster response system across the country, allowing states to respond to local emergencies without routinely depending on the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
The guidelines were issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in June this year and were made public this week. They follow the amended Disaster Management Act, 2025, passed by Parliament last year, which made it mandatory for every state and Union Territory to maintain a dedicated SDRF.
Several states already have SDRFs in some form. However, their strength, capabilities and training standards vary considerably. In many cases, these forces exist largely on paper, while the NDRF continues to shoulder much of the actual disaster response burden.
The new framework seeks to address that gap by providing states with a uniform model for creating fully functional, specialised units capable of responding to both natural and man-made disasters.
A Framework for Decentralised Response
The central idea behind the guidelines is simple. States should be capable of handling localised and immediate emergencies on their own, while the NDRF focuses on the most severe and complex disasters.
The guidelines classify such catastrophic, large-scale events as “L-3” disasters. These situations require advanced capabilities, specialised training and dedicated mentoring.
The NDMA has cautioned against excessive dependence on the NDRF even for relatively minor emergencies. Such dependence, it argues, can weaken the country's specialised national response capacity.
It can also create delays when a major disaster affects a large area, disrupting communications and placing simultaneous demands on limited national resources.
A capable SDRF, therefore, is expected to provide a rapid and specialised response closer to the point of disaster, helping states undertake life-saving operations without waiting for national-level assistance.
Structure, Strength and Recruitment
The guidelines recommend organising SDRFs broadly along the battalion model used by the NDRF.
Each battalion is expected to have between 600 and 1,200 personnel and be headed by an officer of the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
A battalion can subsequently be divided into nine to 10 multidisciplinary and self-sufficient teams, with each team comprising around 45 to 50 responders.
These teams are expected to have their own rescue, medical, communications and logistics capabilities, allowing them to operate independently during emergencies.
The proposed SDRF structure is also highly specialised. Units are expected to include engineers, technicians, medical personnel, communications specialists, dog handlers, divers and personnel trained in CBRN response covering chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear emergencies.
The objective is to create a force capable of responding to a wide range of disasters rather than relying on a single category of rescue personnel.
Focus on Younger and Specialised Personnel
The guidelines call for the recruitment of young and physically fit personnel, with an upper age limit of 50 years for responders.
For direct recruitment, preference is to be given to Agniveers and candidates holding National Cadet Corps (NCC) certificates, taking into account their physical training, discipline and experience.
The framework also provides for 15% of the total openings to be reserved for women.
Apart from direct recruitment, potential sources of personnel include state armed police and police forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), the armed forces, ex-servicemen, particularly those with engineering backgrounds, and former NDRF personnel.
Deployment Based on Local Risk
The guidelines place considerable emphasis on adapting SDRF deployment to the specific risks faced by different regions.
In hill states, for example, teams could be divided to cover different valleys, pilgrimage routes and landslide-prone areas. States have also been asked to plan seasonal and anticipatory deployment during periods when disaster risks are higher.
This could include positioning personnel in advance during the monsoon, winter and periods of heavy pilgrimage traffic.
The approach reflects a shift from responding to disasters only after they occur to maintaining a level of preparedness based on predictable seasonal and geographical risks.
SDRFs to Play a Preventive Role
The proposed forces will not be limited to emergency rescue operations.
The guidelines assign SDRFs a preventive role as well, requiring them to conduct safety audits and validation mock exercises at locations that attract large crowds.
These include recreational, tourist and religious sites, particularly places associated with water-based activities such as rivers, reservoirs, waterfalls, ghats, beaches, dams and water parks.
SDRF personnel are also expected to assist with preparedness at large religious gatherings, including melas, yatras and festival venues.
The intention is to identify vulnerabilities before an emergency occurs and ensure that local authorities and emergency responders are prepared to act quickly if something goes wrong.
Clear Limits on the SDRF Mandate
At the same time, the NDMA has drawn a clear line around the role of the new forces.
The guidelines state that SDRFs should not be deployed in situations requiring the use of armed force or law-and-order enforcement.
Their mandate is intended to remain focused on disaster response, rescue, preparedness and public safety rather than policing or security operations.
A Shift Toward Stronger State-Level Preparedness
With states and Union Territories expected to develop their SDRFs over the next five years, the new framework could significantly reshape India's disaster-response architecture.
The broader objective is to ensure that specialised help is available closer to where disasters actually occur, particularly in areas repeatedly affected by floods, landslides and other regional hazards.
For the NDRF, a stronger network of state-level forces could mean fewer deployments for routine emergencies and greater capacity to concentrate on catastrophic disasters.
For states, the challenge now will be turning the framework into functioning ground-level units, with trained personnel, specialised equipment, local risk mapping and regular exercises.
The success of the initiative will ultimately depend not merely on creating SDRF battalions on paper, but on whether they are adequately staffed, trained, equipped and deployed before disasters strike.
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