National Disaster Response Force — NDRF

What is NDRF?

The National Disaster Response Force is India's specialised force for disaster-response operations.

Ministry

Ministry of Home Affairs

Legal Basis

Established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

Major Functions

  • Search and rescue
  • Flood rescue
  • Earthquake response
  • Landslide rescue
  • Chemical/biological/radiological emergencies
  • Building-collapse rescue
  • Disaster preparedness and training

Specialisation

NDRF teams are trained in:

  • Deep diving
  • Mountain rescue
  • Collapsed-structure search
  • CBRN emergencies
  • Flood response

The force has responded to major disasters in India and abroad, including the 2015 Nepal earthquake, 2023 Türkiye earthquake and 2025 Myanmar earthquake.

Motto

"आपदा सेवा सदैव सर्वत्र"

Prelims Trap

NDRF ≠ NDMA

  • NDMA → policy, planning and coordination.
  • NDRF → specialised response and rescue force.