CHALLENGES AND REFORMS IN INDIA'S DISASTER MANAGEMENT: A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF NDMA

India, owing to its diverse geo-climatic and socio-economic conditions, faces significant vulnerability to various types of natural and man-made disasters. With 27 out of 36 states and Union Territories (UTs) prone to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, cyclones, and droughts, the country requires robust disaster management systems. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), established in 2005, is the apex body responsible for disaster preparedness, mitigation, and response in India. This study examines the evolution, functions, and objectives of NDMA, and analyzes the challenges faced by the organization in its mission to reduce disaster risks. The study highlights issues such as the lack of timely warnings during the Uttarakhand floods, inadequate flood management in Assam, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, and shortcomings in the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel’s preparedness. Furthermore, the misutilization of disaster response funds by some states and the poor post-disaster response following major calamities such as the Kerala and Chennai floods have also been identified as critical challenges. To address these issues, the study proposes several recommendations, including the need for improved policy guidelines, better preparedness, enhanced early warning systems, greater community involvement, and investment in disaster-resilient infrastructure. The study emphasizes the importance of learning from global best practices to strengthen India’s disaster management framework. KEYWORDS: National Disaster Management Authority, Disaster Management, NDMA, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Resilience, Early Warning Systems.