Centre Issues Guidelines for State Disaster Response Forces Recruitment
The Centre has released guidelines for establishing State Disaster Response Forces (SDRFs) across states and union territories. The guidelines, issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), prioritise recruitment of Agniveers and NCC certificate holders, reserving 15% of positions for women. SDRFs, designed to respond to natural and man-made disasters, will be organised in battalions of 600 to 1200 personnel, each comprising 9 to 10 multi-disciplinary teams. The guidelines also mandate that SDRFs conduct safety audits at major tourist sites and avoid armed enforcement duties. All states and UTs are required to operationalise these forces within five years, following the amended Disaster Management Act, 2025.
Published 1 day ago • 28 Aug 2026, 11:42 AM IST