Disaster Management — UPSC CSE Questions

141 UPSC CSE practice questions on Disaster Management, part of Internal Security. Below are 12 of them in full, each with the answer and a written explanation.

Questions & explanations

1. Consider the following pairs of entities under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and their compositions/roles: List-I (Entity) 1. National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) 2. State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) 3. District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) 4. National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) List-II (Composition/Role) A. Headed by the Prime Minister, with a Vice-Chairperson and up to 8 members B. Headed by the Chief Minister, with a Vice-Chairperson and up to 8 members C. Headed by the District Collector/Deputy Commissioner, with co-opted members D. A force constituted for specialist response, comprising 12 battalions from paramilitary forces Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?

  1. (a) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D
  2. (b) 1-B, 2-A, 3-D, 4-C
  3. (c) 1-A, 2-B, 3-D, 4-C
  4. (d) 1-B, 2-A, 3-C, 4-D

Answer: (a) 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D

Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the National Disaster Management Authority is headed by the Prime Minister, with a Vice-Chairperson and up to 8 members (matches A). The State Disaster Management Authority is headed by the Chief Minister, also with a Vice-Chairperson and up to 8 members (matches B). The District Disaster Management Authority is headed by the District Collector or Deputy Commissioner, along with co-opted members (matches C). The National Disaster Response Force is a special force for disaster response drawn from paramilitary forces (matches D). Only option (a) pairs all four correctly: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C, 4-D. Note that the NDRF started with a small number of battalions and has since grown; it now has 16 battalions, not 12, so the figure in option D is dated, but the answer remains (a) because the other pairings in options (b), (c) and (d) are clearly wrong.

2. The subsidence in Joshimath (Uttarakhand) in January 2023 was primarily caused by:

  1. (a) A glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) from a nearby lake
  2. (b) Unplanned construction, seepage of water and soil creep on a debris-filled slope
  3. (c) A series of mild earthquakes followed by liquefaction
  4. (d) Over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture

Answer: (b) Unplanned construction, seepage of water and soil creep on a debris-filled slope

Joshimath sits on an old slope made of loose rock and debris left behind by glaciers. Heavy building work, poor drainage, and water leaking from pipes and rain soaked this ground and made it slowly slip. The weight of all the construction, plus the already weak slope, caused the land to sink. There was no glacial lake burst and no major earthquake. Pulling out groundwater was not the main reason here. So (b) is correct. Why the others are wrong: (a) no glacial lake burst happened, and Joshimath does not lie in such a flood path. (c) small tremors are common in the area but were not the main trigger, and no liquefaction was seen. (d) groundwater extraction is not a big factor in this hilly town; the real problem is the unstable debris slope.

3. Which of the following is one of the four priority areas of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030)?

  1. (a) Enhancing military preparedness for disaster response
  2. (b) Understanding disaster risk
  3. (c) Centralizing disaster risk governance at the national level
  4. (d) Replacing local governments with state authorities in disaster management

Answer: (b) Understanding disaster risk

The Sendai Framework lists four priorities: (1) understanding disaster risk, (2) strengthening disaster risk governance, (3) investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and (4) being better prepared to respond and to build back better. So 'understanding disaster risk' is the first priority, and (b) is correct. Why the others are wrong: (a) the framework focuses on reducing risk before disasters strike, not on building up military response. (c) it asks for shared action across all levels and gives local bodies a strong role, so it does not call for centralising everything at the national level. (d) it strengthens local governments and works with them, it never asks to replace them with state authorities.

4. The massive landslides in Wayanad, Kerala in July 2024 were primarily triggered by:

  1. (a) A moderate earthquake in the Western Ghats
  2. (b) Heavy monsoon rainfall combined with deforestation and fragile geology
  3. (c) Breaching of a glacial lake in the upper reaches
  4. (d) Coastal erosion aggravated by sea-level rise

Answer: (b) Heavy monsoon rainfall combined with deforestation and fragile geology

The Wayanad landslides of July 2024 were caused mainly by very heavy monsoon rain that soaked the soil on steep hill slopes. Years of cutting down forests and changing land use had already weakened these slopes, and the loose, soft soil of the region made things worse. There was no earthquake and no glacial lake burst at the time. Coastal erosion does not apply here because Wayanad is an inland hill district, far from the sea. So (b) is correct. Why the others are wrong: (a) no earthquake was recorded there then. (c) glacial lake bursts happen in the Himalayas, not in the Western Ghats. (d) Wayanad is hilly and inland, so sea-level rise and coastal erosion have no role.

5. Match List-I (Disaster Events) with List-II (Disaster Type) and select the correct answer using the codes given below: List-I (Disaster Events) A. Wayanad landslides, 2024 B. Joshimath subsidence, 2023 C. Sikkim flash floods, 2023 D. Bhopal gas tragedy, 1984 List-II (Disaster Type) 1. Man-made disaster 2. Natural disaster (geological – subsidence) 3. Natural disaster (hydro-meteorological – flash flood) 4. Natural disaster (geological – landslide) Codes: A B C D (a) 2 4 3 1 (b) 4 2 3 1 (c) 4 2 1 3 (d) 2 4 1 3

  1. (a) A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1
  2. (b) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
  3. (c) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
  4. (d) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

Answer: (b) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1

The Wayanad landslides of 2024 were a natural geological disaster, where rock and debris slid down the slope, so A goes with 4. The Joshimath subsidence of 2023 was a geological disaster caused by the ground slowly sinking, so B goes with 2. The Sikkim flash floods of 2023 were a hydro-meteorological disaster caused by heavy rain and a sudden burst of water, so C goes with 3. The Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984 was a man-made industrial disaster caused by a gas leak, so D goes with 1. This gives A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1, which is option (b). Options (a) and (d) wrongly swap the landslide and subsidence. Option (c) wrongly calls the Sikkim floods man-made.

6. In July 2024, Wayanad in Kerala experienced severe landslides causing significant damage. As per the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which authority is primarily responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing disaster management at the district level?

  1. (a) The District Collector
  2. (b) The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
  3. (c) The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA)
  4. (d) The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

Answer: (b) The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)

The correct answer is (b). At the district level, the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) is the main body that plans, coordinates, and carries out disaster work. Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the DDMA is set up in each district (Section 25), and Section 30 makes it the district-level planning, coordinating, and implementing body. The District Collector chairs the DDMA, but the job belongs to the authority as a whole, which makes the district plan, coordinates the response, and oversees mitigation. The SDMA works at the state level. The NDRF is only a response force that is sent in during disasters. it does not plan.

7. Which of the following is a key feature introduced by the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2024?

  1. (a) Creation of a separate National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) with statutory backing.
  2. (b) Mandating the establishment of State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) in all states.
  3. (c) Empowering the National Executive Committee (NEC) to issue guidelines for private sector participation in disaster response.
  4. (d) Making the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) a statutory body with executive powers.

Answer: (b) Mandating the establishment of State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF) in all states.

The Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2024 makes the money side of disaster work stronger. It connects the National Disaster Mitigation Fund to a clear approval process. The High-Level Committee clears help from this fund for mitigation. Other key changes in the 2024 law are: giving legal status to the National Crisis Management Committee and the High-Level Committee, letting states create an Urban Disaster Management Authority for big cities, and letting the NDMA and State Authorities make disaster plans directly. The other options are wrong. Option (b) does not come from the 2024 amendment. Option (c) is not a feature of it.

8. Consider the following statements regarding the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and India's disaster management framework: 1. India's National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2016 is aligned with the Sendai Framework. 2. The Sendai Framework emphasizes disaster risk reduction as a key priority, shifting focus from response to preparedness and mitigation. 3. The Disaster Management Act, 2005 was amended in 2024 to incorporate the principles of the Sendai Framework. Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 2 and 3 only
  3. (c) 1 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Statement 1 is correct. India's National Disaster Management Plan of 2016 follows the Sendai Framework and matches its priorities. Statement 2 is correct. The Sendai Framework (2015 to 2030) shifts the focus from just reacting to disasters towards reducing risk through prevention, mitigation, and preparedness. The DM Act was amended in 2024, but that amendment dealt with things like statutory disaster plans, urban disaster authorities, and disaster databases, not the addition of Sendai principles. The plan, not a 2024 amendment, is what aligns India with Sendai. So only statements 1 and 2 are correct, and the answer is (a).

9. Consider the following statements regarding the Disaster Management Act, 2005: 1. The Act provides for the constitution of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs). 2. The Act mandates the constitution of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF). 3. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. (a) 1 and 2 only
  2. (b) 1 and 3 only
  3. (c) 2 and 3 only
  4. (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

All three statements are correct, so option (d) is the answer. Statement 1 is right: the Disaster Management Act, 2005 sets up the NDMA at the national level, the State Disaster Management Authorities in states, and the District Disaster Management Authorities in districts. Statement 2 is right: the Act provides for the National Disaster Response Fund (Section 46) and the State Disaster Response Funds (Section 48) to pay for emergency relief and rehabilitation. Statement 3 is right: the Prime Minister is the head of the NDMA by virtue of his office. Since every statement is true, options (a), (b) and (c) are wrong.

10. In the aftermath of the 2024 Wayanad landslides, the Kerala State Government requested specialized search and rescue assistance. Which organization is primarily responsible for providing such central assistance during disasters?

  1. (a) State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)
  2. (b) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
  3. (c) Indian Army
  4. (d) National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

Answer: (b) National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is the special central force for search and rescue during disasters. It was set up under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (Section 44) to handle serious disaster situations. So option (b) is correct. The State Disaster Response Force is the first to act at the state level, but when a state is overwhelmed, like in the 2024 Wayanad landslides, the centre sends the NDRF on request. The Indian Army helps when called but is not a dedicated disaster force. The NDMA only makes policy and coordinates; it does not do the ground rescue work. So options (a), (c) and (d) are wrong.

11. What is the primary role of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)?

  1. (a) Formulating disaster management policies
  2. (b) Providing specialized response during disasters
  3. (c) Coordinating relief funds
  4. (d) Conducting post-disaster reconstruction

Answer: (b) Providing specialized response during disasters

The answer is (b), giving specialised response during disasters. The National Disaster Response Force is set up under the DM Act as a trained force for action on the ground. Its main job is quick and skilled response, including search and rescue, helping victims and moving people to safety. Making disaster policy is the work of the NDMA and the state authorities, not this force. Managing relief money is done through the National Disaster Response Fund and finance departments, which is a different body that shares the same short name. So the core role of the NDRF is specialised response, which makes (b) correct.

12. In the context of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030), which of the following actions best exemplifies Priority 1: Understanding disaster risk?

  1. (a) Building cyclone shelters in coastal areas
  2. (b) Conducting seismic microzonation of a city
  3. (c) Establishing early warning systems for floods
  4. (d) Providing disaster relief to affected communities

Answer: (b) Conducting seismic microzonation of a city

The Sendai Framework has four priorities. Priority 1 is understanding disaster risk. This means studying hazards, mapping risk, and checking how vulnerable people and places are. Seismic microzonation studies earthquake risk in detail for one city, so it fits Priority 1. Option (b) is correct. The other options belong to different priorities. Building cyclone shelters (a) is a way to invest in resilience, which is Priority 3. Setting up early warning systems for floods (c) is part of being ready to respond, which is Priority 4. Giving relief to affected people (d) is disaster response, not understanding risk.

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