Sections 42, 43 and 44 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005: NIDM and National Disaster Response Force
Sections 42 to 44 form the statutory foundation for the National Institute of Disaster Management and the National Disaster Response Force. This article reproduces and explains the operative provisions while incorporating the changes brought into force by the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025.
Section 42 - National Institute of Disaster Management
What the section does: Section 42 gives statutory status to the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), provides for its membership and governing body, and sets out its principal responsibilities for disaster-management training, research, documentation, policy support and capacity building.
(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette appoint in this behalf, there shall be constituted an institute to be called the National Institute of Disaster Management.
(2) The National Institute of Disaster Management shall consist of such number of members as may be prescribed by the Central Government.
(3) The term of office of, and vacancies among, members of the National Institute of Disaster Management and manner of filling such vacancies shall be such as may be prescribed.
(4) There shall be a governing body of the National Institute of Disaster Management which shall be constituted by the Central Government from amongst the members of the National Institute of Disaster Management in such manner as may be prescribed.
(5) The governing body of the National Institute of Disaster Management shall exercise such powers and discharge such functions as may be prescribed by regulations.
(6) The procedure to be followed in exercise of its powers and discharge of its functions by the governing body, and the term of office of, and the manner of filling vacancies among the members of the governing body, shall be such as may be prescribed by regulations.
(7) Until the regulations are made under this section, the Central Government may make such regulations; and any regulation so made may be altered or rescinded by the National Institute of Disaster Management in exercise of its powers.
(8) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the National Institute of Disaster Management shall function within the broad policies and guidelines laid down by the National Authority and be responsible for planning and promoting training and research in the area of disaster management, documentation and development of national level information base relating to disaster management policies, prevention mechanisms and mitigation measures.
(9) Without prejudice to the generality of sub-section (8), the National Institute may:
- develop training modules, undertake research and documentation in disaster management and organise training programmes;
- formulate and implement a comprehensive human resource development plan covering all aspects of disaster management;
- provide assistance in national level policy formulation;
- assist training and research institutes in developing programmes for stakeholders, including Government functionaries, and undertake training of faculty members of State level training institutes;
- assist State Governments and State training institutes in formulation of State level policies, strategies and disaster management frameworks and in capacity building of stakeholders;
- develop educational materials for disaster management, including academic and professional courses;
- promote awareness among stakeholders, including teachers, students, technical personnel and others associated with multi-hazard mitigation, preparedness and response measures;
- undertake, organise and facilitate study courses, conferences, lectures and seminars within and outside the country;
- undertake and provide for publication of journals, research papers and books and establish and maintain libraries;
- do other lawful things conducive or incidental to attainment of these objects; and
- undertake any other function assigned by the Central Government.
- NIDM is the national statutory institution focused on disaster-management knowledge and capacity building.
- Its mandate extends beyond training to research, documentation, policy assistance, educational material and awareness.
- Its work operates within the broad policies and guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority.
Section 43 - Officers, employees, experts and consultants of National Institute
Current law after the 2025 amendment: Section 43 was substituted with effect from 9 April 2025. The provision now expressly covers recruitment of experts by NIDM in addition to officers, other employees and consultants.
(1) The Central Government shall provide the National Institute of Disaster Management with such officers, other employees and consultants, as it considers necessary, for carrying out its functions.
(2) The National Institute may recruit experts as per norms approved by the Central Government to perform such functions as provided in sub-section (9) of section 42.
(3) The salaries, allowances payable to officers and employees and the other terms and conditions of their service shall be such as may be prescribed.
The amendment therefore expands the express staffing framework by authorising NIDM to recruit experts under Central Government-approved norms for the functions listed in Section 42(9).
Section 44 - National Disaster Response Force
Purpose: Section 44 establishes the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) as the specialist national force for response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
(1) There shall be constituted a National Disaster Response Force for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Force shall be constituted in such manner and the conditions of service of the members of the Force, including disciplinary provisions therefor, shall be such as may be prescribed.
Following the 2025 amendment, the heading of Chapter VIII is now Disaster Response Force, reflecting the addition of a statutory provision for State Disaster Response Forces under Section 44A.
Section 44A - State Disaster Response Force
Section 44A was inserted by the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 and has been in force since 9 April 2025.
(1) The State Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, constitute a State Disaster Response Force for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster.
(2) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the State Disaster Response Force shall be constituted in such manner, with such functions and the terms and conditions of service of the members of such Force shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government concerned.
This provision gives an express statutory basis for a State Government to constitute its own specialist disaster response force and leaves its constitution, functions and service conditions to rules prescribed by the State Government.
Official resources
For authoritative and updated material, refer to the official consolidated Disaster Management Act and amendment material maintained by the Government of India, and to the official NIDM and NDRF portals.
- India Code - Disaster Management Act, 2005 as amended
- Ministry of Home Affairs - Disaster Management laws, policies and plans
- National Institute of Disaster Management
- National Disaster Response Force
This page is intended as a statutory reference and explanatory guide. In case of doubt, the text published in the Gazette of India and the official consolidated Act should be consulted.