National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM): Disaster Management and GIS

Introduction: The National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM) is a geospatial information repository and decision-support system developed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO, to support disaster preparedness, response and management in India.

Key pointers

  • Full form: National Database for Emergency Management.

  • Institution: National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation.

  • Government association: Developed to support disaster managers under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

  • Operational services: NDEM services have been operational since 2013.

  • Core technology: Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite-derived information and spatial databases.

  • Primary purpose: Provide disaster-related information to support planning and emergency decision-making.

  • Applications: Hazard and risk zonation, flood monitoring, damage assessment and emergency response.

  • Data layers: May include administrative boundaries, infrastructure, settlements, terrain and disaster-specific information.

  • Institutional users: Disaster management authorities at the national, state and Union Territory levels.

  • Importance: Helps integrate geospatial information into evidence-based disaster management.

UPSC focus: NDEM is associated with NRSC/ISRO and GIS-based disaster management. It is a decision-support resource, not a disaster-response force.