Defence · State PCS
The Disaster Management Act, which set up the National Disaster Management Authority, was enacted in:
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Answer: Option C — 2005
Detailed Solution
The Disaster Management Act was enacted by Parliament in December 2005. It provides for the effective management of disasters and set up institutions at the national, state and district levels.
Why the Act was passed:
- India faced several major disasters, such as the Odisha super cyclone (1999), the Gujarat earthquake (2001) and the Indian Ocean tsunami (2004).
- These showed the need for a shift from a relief-centred approach to a holistic approach covering prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Institutions created by the Act:
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): chaired by the Prime Minister; it lays down policies, plans and guidelines.
- State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs): chaired by the Chief Ministers.
- District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs): chaired by the District Collectors or District Magistrates.
- National Executive Committee: chaired by the Union Home Secretary.
- National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): a specialised force for disaster response, made up of battalions from the Central Armed Police Forces.
- National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM): for training and research.
Funds:
- National Disaster Response Fund and State Disaster Response Funds for immediate relief.
- National Disaster Mitigation Fund for mitigation activities.
Use during COVID-19:
The Act was used by the Centre to issue nationwide lockdown orders and guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
Amendment:
The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 strengthened the roles of the NDMA and the SDMAs and provided for urban disaster management authorities.
National Policy and Plan:
- The National Policy on Disaster Management was adopted in 2009.
- The National Disaster Management Plan was released in 2016 and aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015 to 2030).
Nodal ministry:
The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for disaster management, except for drought, which is handled by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1999, 2001 and 2010 do not match the year of the Act.
Quick tip
Remember: Disaster Management Act = 2005; NDMA chaired by the Prime Minister; NDRF for response.
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Miscellaneous GK — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Miscellaneous GK, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic collects general knowledge questions that do not fit neatly into a single category, such as national symbols, famous nicknames of places, important events, entertainment, and facts that cut across history, geography and culture. Because these questions come from many areas, the best preparation is broad revision and regular practice. Read each explanation carefully, since it often includes a related fact that is tested in a different form. Keep a notebook of facts you get wrong and revise it before the exam. Practise the miscellaneous GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.