Disaster management in India has evolved over the years from a reactive, relief-centric approach to a proactive, holistic strategy that emphasizes preparedness, mitigation, and resilience. The Government of India has recognized the critical importance of establishing a structured and systematic framework to manage disasters, given the country’s vulnerability to a wide range of natural and man-made hazards. India’s disaster management policy is guided by legal, institutional, and operational mechanisms designed to coordinate actions at the national, state, and local levels, ensuring efficient risk reduction, response, and recovery. The foundation of India’s disaster management policy is the Disaster Management Act of 2005, which laid down a comprehensive legal framework for disaster preparedness and management in the country. This Act established the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), which is the apex body responsible for formulating policies, guidelines, and plans for disaster management. The NDMA, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, ensures a strategic vision and provides guidance to all central and state agencies involved in disaster management. Alongside the NDMA, the Act also mandated the creation of State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) to decentralize the planning and implementation process and ensure local-level responsiveness. The core objective of India’s disaster management policy is to adopt a proactive approach that emphasizes risk assessment, early warning systems, mitigation measures, and capacity building. The policy recognizes that effective disaster management involves not only responding to emergencies but also reducing vulnerability and enhancing resilience in communities. This is achieved through integrating disaster risk reduction into development planning, ensuring that infrastructure, urban planning, and social systems are designed to withstand potential hazards. For example, areas prone to floods, earthquakes, or cyclones are identified using hazard mapping, and planning guidelines are developed to reduce exposure and damage. A key feature of the policy is the emphasis on preparedness and early warning. India has invested in advanced meteorological, seismological, and hydrological monitoring systems to provide timely warnings for cyclones, floods, droughts, and earthquakes. Agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), and Central Water Commission (CWC) play critical roles in generating real-time data and forecasts. The NDMA has issued comprehensive guidelines for early warning dissemination, evacuation