National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

• The Disaster Management Act was enacted in 2005.
• To effectively respond to disasters, a need was felt to have a specialist response mechanism at the National level.
• As per the provisions of the Act, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was constituted to lay down the policies, plans and guidelines for disaster management.
• The Act also provides for a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) which is equipped to provide specialized response to natural and man-made disasters.
• The NDRF was constituted in 2006 with 8 battalions (2 each from BSF, CRPF, ITBP and CISF).
• At present, it has 10 battalions ( 3 each from BSF and CRPF , 2 each from CISF and ITBP)
• Out of these, 4 battalions are also trained and equipped for response during chemical, biological, radio-logical and nuclear (CBRN) emergencies.
• 2 battalions from SSB will also be upgraded soon.
• The total strength of each battalion is 1,149.
• It comes under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Vision of NDRF: to emerge as the most visible and vibrant multi-disciplinary, multi-skilled, high-tech force capable to deal with all types of natural as well as man-made disasters and to mitigate the effects of disasters.
• The NDRF is a unique force as it is:

1. the only dedicated disaster response force of the world.
2. the only agency with comprehensive response capabilities having multi- disciplinary and multi-skilled, high-tech, stand alone nature.
3. It has experienced paramilitary personnel specially trained and equipped for disaster response.
4. It has the capabilities for undertaking disaster response, prevention, mitigation and capacity building.

Role and Mandate of NDRF

1. Specialized response during disasters.
2. Proactive deployment during impending disaster situations.
3. Acquire and continually upgrade its own training and skills.
4. Liaison, Reconnaissance, Rehearsals and Mock Drills.
5. Impart basic and operational level training to State Response Forces ( Police, Civil Defence, and Home Guards).
6. Community Capacity Building Programme
7. Public Awareness Campaign
8. Exhibitions: Posters, Pamphlets, Literatures