Under India's BRICS Chairship 2026, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Ministry of Home Affairs, hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) in New Delhi on July 24, 2026. Chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Shri Nityanand Rai, the meeting brought together ministers and heads of delegation from BRICS member nations. It culminated in the unanimous adoption of the BRICS Joint Statement on Disaster Risk Reduction to accelerate the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028), launch six flagship knowledge products, and strengthen global resilience through innovative financing and climate-smart infrastructure.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), operating under the Ministry of Home Affairs, successfully hosted the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in New Delhi on July 24, 2026. Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai, chaired the meeting under India's BRICS Chairship 2026. The participating ministers and heads of delegation unanimously adopted the BRICS Joint Statement on Disaster Risk Reduction. The gathering launched six flagship knowledge products and prioritized early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, nature-based solutions, and community resilience.
The one-day ministerial conference took place on July 24, 2026, in New Delhi, India. The event occurred against the backdrop of increasing global climate vulnerabilities, extreme weather events, and structural economic risks facing Global South economies, reinforcing the strategic role of BRICS in global climate action and disaster management.
The meeting operated through a structured multi-tier engagement model designed to deliver measurable policy outcomes:
1. High-Level Policy Dialogue: Deliberated on "Advancing Climate-Smart and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure Systems," focusing on partnerships, emerging technologies, and innovative financing.
2. Ministerial Roundtable: Focused on accelerating the execution of the agreed BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan (2025–2028).
3. Adoption of Joint Statement: Formalized collective commitments across six flagship knowledge products and five core strategic priorities.
4. Implementation Mechanism: Institutionalized annual thematic workstreams, joint simulation exercises, technical expert exchanges, and regular knowledge sharing.
📌 [BACKGROUND — verify independently] BRICS cooperation on disaster risk reduction originated during India's 2016 Chairship with the adoption of the Udaipur Declaration (2016) at the 1st BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management. This established the foundational framework for mutual assistance and capacity building. Subsequent declarations, culminating in the Kazan Declaration (2024), formally institutionalized the BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group (DRRG). Brazil played a crucial role in elevating the DRRG to the ministerial level.
📌 [BACKGROUND — verify independently]
India leads global disaster resilience through initiatives like the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019. Within BRICS, India ranks high in multi-hazard early warning coverage (IMD, INCOIS) and community-based disaster management, contrasting with capital-intensive systems used in Russia or China.
The meeting established a concrete roadmap including annual joint simulation exercises, periodic policy reviews of the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028), and full integration of climate-smart infrastructure standards into municipal planning across member states before 2028.
Core Concept: Disaster Management Framework in India & Global Alignments
Q1. The 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (2026) was hosted in which city? [Easy]
A) Kazan
B) New Delhi
C) Brasilia
D) Udaipur
Answer: B
Explanation: The 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction was hosted by India in New Delhi on 24 July 2026.
Q2. Who serves as the ex-officio Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)? [Easy]
A) Union Home Minister
B) President of India
C) Prime Minister of India
D) Union Environment Minister
Answer: C
Explanation: Under Section 3(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, the Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the NDMA.
Q3. Which declaration laid the foundation for BRICS cooperation on Disaster Management during India's Chairship in 2016? [Moderate]
A) Goa Declaration
B) Udaipur Declaration
C) Fortaleza Declaration
D) Kazan Declaration
Answer: B
Explanation: The Udaipur Declaration was adopted in 2016 at the 1st BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Management in Rajasthan.
Q4. How many flagship knowledge products were launched by India during the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on DRR? [Moderate]
A) Four
B) Five
C) Six
D) Ten
Answer: C
Explanation: As part of India's Chairship, six flagship knowledge products were launched to support evidence-based policymaking in DRR.
Q5. The BRICS Disaster Risk Reduction Work Plan adopted at the meeting covers which time period? [Moderate]
A) 2024–2026
B) 2025–2028
C) 2026–2030
D) 2025–2030
Answer: B
Explanation: The joint statement reaffirmed the commitment of member countries to accelerate implementation of the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028).
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction: [Tricky]
1. It spans a 15-year duration from 2015 to 2030.
2. It is a legally binding international treaty under the United Nations.
3. It was adopted at the 3rd UN World Conference in Sendai, Japan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: B
Explanation: Statements 1 and 3 are correct; the Sendai Framework is a voluntary, non-binding agreement, making Statement 2 incorrect.
Q7. Statement I: The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) is an initiative launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). [Tricky]
Statement II: CDRI aims to promote resilient infrastructure systems to withstand climate risks.
Which one of the following is correct?
A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
B) Both Statement I and Statement II are incorrect
C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
D) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct
Answer: D
Explanation: CDRI was launched by the Prime Minister of India at the UN Climate Action Summit in September 2019, not by UNEP.
Q8. Which section of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 provides for the constitution of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)? [Tricky]
A) Section 42
B) Section 44
C) Section 46
D) Section 48
Answer: C
Explanation: Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 explicitly provides for the establishment of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
PYQ 1:
With reference to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), consider the following statements:
1. It is a statutory body constituted under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
2. The Cabinet Secretary acts as its ex-officio Chairperson.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as NDMA is statutory under the DM Act 2005. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Prime Minister, not the Cabinet Secretary, is its Chairperson.
PYQ 2:
Consider the following international frameworks/initiatives:
1. Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction
2. Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
3. Hyogo Framework for Action
Which of the above are directly associated with global disaster risk reduction strategies?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: D
Explanation: Hyogo (2005-2015) and Sendai (2015-2030) are UN frameworks, while CDRI (2019) is an Indian-led global partnership for infrastructure resilience.
PYQ 3:
Match List-I (Initiative/Declaration) with List-II (Key Association/Focus):
List-I:
A. Udaipur Declaration (2016) B. Prime Minister's 10-Point Agenda C. Sendai Framework Target A D. CDRI Initiative
List-II:
1. Reduction of global disaster mortality
2. 1st BRICS DRR Ministerial Roadmap
3. Sustainable & resilient infrastructure
4. AMCDRR New Delhi Guidelines
Select the correct code:
A) A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
B) A-4, B-2, C-3, D-1
C) A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
D) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Answer: A
Explanation: Udaipur Declaration (2016) established BRICS DRR cooperation (2); PM's 10-Point Agenda was launched at AMCDRR (4); Sendai Target A focuses on reducing mortality (1); CDRI promotes resilient infrastructure (3).
Question 1 (150 words): Discuss the significance of the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction in advancing global disaster resilience, particularly for the Global South.
The 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction held in New Delhi on July 24, 2026, represents a pivotal step in institutionalizing South-South cooperation for climate resilience. By adopting the BRICS Joint Statement and accelerating the BRICS DRR Work Plan (2025–2028), member nations established a unified approach toward risk governance.
For the Global South, which suffers disproportionate economic losses from climate hazards, this framework provides essential avenues for joint technology transfers, early warning capabilities, and climate-smart infrastructure. The launch of six flagship knowledge products under India's Chairship offers evidence-based tools tailored to developing economies.
Furthermore, integrating Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Ten-Point Agenda for DRR aligns local community resilience with global commitments like the Sendai Framework. By fostering innovative financing mechanisms and technical exchanges, the outcome strengthens the capacity of developing countries to withstand extreme events without compromising their sustainable development trajectories.
Question 2 (250 words): Evaluate the institutional evolution of disaster risk reduction in India since the enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. How has India leveraged international groupings like BRICS and CDRI to position itself as a global leader in disaster management?
The enactment of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 marked a paradigm shift in India's approach, moving from post-disaster relief to proactive mitigation, preparedness, and risk reduction. The Act established a three-tiered institutional structure—NDMA at the national level, SDMAs at the state level, and DDMAs at the district level—complemented by specialized forces like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). Over two decades, this framework has dramatically minimized casualties during major cyclones and floods through precise early warning systems developed by IMD and INCOIS.
Internationally, India has translated its domestic expertise into global leadership. At the 2016 Asian Ministerial Conference in New Delhi, India articulated the Prime Minister's Ten-Point Agenda for DRR, embedding risk reduction into local governance and infrastructure. Concurrently, India spearheaded BRICS cooperation on disaster management, starting with the Udaipur Declaration in 2016 and progressing to the 3rd BRICS Ministerial Meeting in 2026 under the theme "Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability."
Beyond BRICS, India launched the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) at the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit, filling a critical gap in global infrastructure policy. By hosting meetings, sharing satellite technology, and deploying NDRF units for overseas humanitarian assistance (such as Operation Dost in Türkiye), India has positioned itself as a reliable first responder and knowledge hub for the Global South, bridging local action with international policy frameworks like the Sendai Framework (2015–2030).