Description

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Context:

The NCMC chairperson can co-opt any expert or official from relevant agencies to assist in managing a crisis based on its nature.

Background & Legal Basis

In response to the escalating monsoon-induced disasters across India in July 2025—triggering floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Manipur—the Government of India established the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) on 23 July 2025. This move was taken under the provisions of sub-section (2) of section 8A of the Disaster Management Act, 2005

Functions

The NCMC is authorized to:

Evaluate the nation’s readiness to tackle threatening, emerging, or ongoing disaster situations, providing directions to enhance preparedness.
Coordinate actions and monitor performance of the Union ministries, state governments, NDMA, state disaster authorities, NGOs, and other stakeholders involved in disaster response.
Issue directives essential for proper coordination and effective monitoring of nationwide disaster response

Composition & Convening Authority

The Cabinet Secretary serves as the NCMC Chairperson. Other members include:

Union Home Secretary
Defence Secretary
Secretary (Co‑ordination), Cabinet Secretariat
Member and Head of Department, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Importantly, the Chairperson can co-opt additional experts or officials from the central government, state government, or relevant organisations, as per the nature and demands of the disaster at hand.

Significance

Linkage with the Disaster Management Act, 2005: The Act envisages crisis oversight mechanisms beyond the established NDMA and NEC structures. NCMC acts as an apex operational body when disaster situations escalate to national significance.
Dynamic & Situational Flexibility: The ability to co-opt experts enables agile, context-appropriate responses.
Strengthened coordination: By aligning central and state disaster-response efforts under a unified leadership, NCMC aims to minimise fragmentation during emergencies.

Institutional Ecosystem:

Institution	Legal Basis	Head	Key Functions
NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority)	Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Section 3)	Prime Minister	- Formulates disaster management policies - Approves National Plans - Issues guidelines for disaster response - Capacity building at national level
NEC (National Executive Committee)	Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Section 8)	Union Home Secretary	- Assists NDMA - Coordinates disaster response across ministries - Prepares National Plans
SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority)	Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Section 14)	Chief Minister of the State	- State-level disaster management planning - Implements NDMA guidelines at state level - Coordinates state disaster response

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Source: Livemint.com

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. With reference to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), consider the following statements:

It is chaired by the Union Home Minister.
It is constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
It can co-opt experts or officials depending on the nature of the crisis.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary, not the Union Home Minister.

Statement 2 is correct: The NCMC is constituted under Section 8A(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Statement 3 is correct: The NCMC Chairperson can co-opt experts or officials depending on the nature of the crisis.