Daily News Analysis

National Crisis Management Committee

stylish_lining

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) plays a pivotal role in the country’s disaster response and crisis management framework.

About NCMC

  • Purpose: NCMC is the top-level body in charge of managing national emergencies. It coordinates efforts and provides support during crises, such as natural disasters (heat waves, forest fires) and man-made emergencies.
  • Functions:
    • Coordination: Ensures effective coordination among different agencies and state governments.
    • Support: Provides logistical, financial, and operational support to enhance disaster response.
    • Monitoring: Keeps high-level authorities, including the Prime Minister, informed about the crisis situation and response progress.

Structure and Composition

  • Chairman: Cabinet Secretary.
  • Members:
    • Secretaries to the Prime Minister and key ministries (Home Affairs, Agriculture, Defence & Cooperation).
    • Directors of RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) and Intelligence Bureau (IB).

Key Responsibilities

  • Coordination & Resource Allocation: Directs and oversees disaster response, ensuring effective use of resources and coordination among different agencies and states.
  • Crisis Management & Strategic Planning: Issues directives to the Crisis Management Group (CMG) and devises strategic plans for disaster management.

Logistic Support

  • Deployment: Utilizes aircraft, boats, and specialist teams, including Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces (CAPF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
  • Essential Supplies: Arranges for relief materials, medical supplies, and infrastructure restoration, including communication networks.

Basic Responsibility

  • State Government: Responsible for relief, rehabilitation, preparedness, and response measures at the state level.
  • Central Government (NCMC): Supplements state efforts with additional support and coordination.

The Crisis Management Group (CMG) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) play crucial roles in disaster management in India, but they have different focuses and responsibilities.

Crisis Management Group (CMG)

Responsibilities:

  1. Contingency Plan Review: Annually reviews the contingency plans formulated by central ministries and departments.
  2. Natural Calamity Measures: Reviews measures required for dealing with natural calamities.
  3. Coordination: Coordinates activities of central ministries and state governments related to disaster preparedness and relief.
  4. Information Gathering: Obtains information from nodal officers on disaster-related measures.

Structure:

  • Headed by the Relief Commissioner.
  • Composed of senior officers from various ministries and departments.
  • Meets at least twice a year or as needed.

Focus:

  • Primarily focuses on the coordination and review of ongoing disaster preparedness and relief measures at a central and state level.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Responsibilities:

  1. Policy and Guidelines: Established by the Disaster Management Act, 2005, NDMA lays down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management.
  2. Apex Body: As the apex body, it oversees disaster management policies and ensures coordination for prevention, mitigation, response, and capacity building at national and state levels.
  3. International Support: Provides support for international disaster relief as needed.
  4. Risk Atlas & Decision Support: Developed a Web-Based Dynamic Composite Risk Atlas & Decision Support System (Web DCRA&DSS) for forecasting cyclone impacts.
  5. G20 Initiatives: Spearheaded the formation of a G20 Working Group on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) during India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023.
  6. Monitoring Progress: Utilizes the National Disaster Management Information System (NDMIS) to monitor progress on the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).

Structure:

  • Chaired by the Prime Minister of India.
  • Operates as a high-level body responsible for overarching policy and strategic decisions.

Focus:

  • NDMA is responsible for setting national policies and guidelines for disaster management, overseeing implementation, and integrating international frameworks like the Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its strategy.

Key Differences

  • Scope and Focus: CMG focuses on operational coordination and review at the national and state levels, while NDMA is responsible for policy-making, strategic oversight, and international coordination.
  • Role and Authority: CMG operates under the direction of the Relief Commissioner and handles practical coordination tasks, whereas NDMA, led by the Prime Minister, has a broader strategic mandate with an emphasis on policy, planning, and international collaboration.
  • Meeting Frequency: CMG meets at least twice a year or as required, while NDMA operates continuously to develop and oversee disaster management policies and guidelines.

Inclusivity of People with Disabilities in STEM Education

Current Situation: India has nearly 63 million people with disabilities (NFHS-5), but their representation in STEM fields is very low. Despite strong laws like the Right to Educat
Share It

National Handloom Day and the Swadeshi Movement

National Handloom Day Date: Celebrated every year on 7th August in India. Significance: Marks the launch of the Swadeshi Movement on 7 August 1905, which promoted indigenous indus
Share It

World Trade Organization (WTO)

Why in the News? India recently called for significant reforms at the World Trade Organization (WTO) during a high-level mini-ministerial meeting in Paris ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conferen
Share It

Israel-US-Iran Conflict

Recently, tensions in the Middle East escalated dramatically as Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion”, a significant military strike aimed at Iranian nuclear infrastructure and balli
Share It

Philippines President’s Visit to India (2025)

In 2025, during the Philippines President's state visit to India, both nations elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership. The visit reaffirmed the 1952 Treaty of Friends
Share It

India's Participation in the 51st G7 Summit

India participated as an Outreach Country in the 51st G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, Canada in 2025. Key Outcomes of the 51st G7 Summit (2025): Kananaskis Wildfire Charter:
Share It

Quit India Movement (QIM)

India commemorates 8th August every year as Quit India Movement Day (also known as August Kranti Diwas) to honor the historic movement that demanded the immediate end of British colonial rule in I
Share It

National Waterway-57 (Kopili River)

The National Waterway-57 (NW 57), running through the Kopili River in Assam, has been officially operationalised, marking a significant step in India’s development of Inland Water Transport
Share It

Union Cabinet Approves National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the National Sports Policy (NSP) 2025, aiming to address long-standing challenges and transform India into a global sportin
Share It

CIMMYT’s Financial Crisis

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), a pivotal institution in the development of agricultural research for maize, wheat, and related crops, is facing significant financia
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS