21 February 2026·PIB

NDMA, AcSIR and CSIR–NIScPR Sign MoU to Strengthen Disaster Management Policy Research

In this note

1. At a Glance

Tripartite MoU signed on 21 February 2026 between NDMA, AcSIR and CSIR–NIScPR to build a collaborative framework on Disaster Management & Risk Reduction (DMRR) spanning academia, capacity building, policy research, and science communication [1].
Headline deliverable: a PhD Programme in Disaster Management under AcSIR hosted at CSIR–NIScPR, supported by NDMA — the first structured doctoral track of its kind linking the apex disaster body with a CSIR institute [1].
UPSC relevance: cross-cuts GS-III (Disaster Management), GS-II (Government bodies) and GS-III (S&T policy); useful for Prelims facts on NDMA, CSIR, AcSIR and DM Act, 2005.

On 21 February 2026, NDMA, AcSIR and CSIR–NIScPR signed an MoU at New Delhi to integrate science, technology, and policy for a disaster-resilient India [1].
Press release issued by the Ministry of Science & Technology (parent of CSIR), although NDMA functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) [1][2].

NDMA created via the Disaster Management Act, 2005 (enacted 23 December 2005); headed by the Prime Minister as ex-officio Chairperson [2][3].
CSIR–NIScPR formed in 2021 by merging erstwhile NISCAIR and NISTADS; mandate: science communication and policy research under CSIR (Ministry of S&T) [1].
AcSIR — a deemed university established by an Act of Parliament (AcSIR Act, 2011); awards PhDs across CSIR labs.
Earlier DM capacity-building was largely anchored at NIDM (under MHA); this MoU adds a CSIR-led science-policy stream.

Signed on: 21 February 2026, New Delhi [1].
Parties: National Disaster Management Authority; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research; CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research [1].
Parent ministries: NDMA → MHA; AcSIR & CSIR–NIScPR → Ministry of Science & Technology (DSIR/CSIR) [1][2].
Statutory base of NDMA: Section 3, Disaster Management Act, 2005 [3].
Roles under MoU:
NDMA — strategic direction, domain expertise, policy guidance [1].
AcSIR — academic anchor for PhD and research programmes [1].
CSIR–NIScPR — host institution for academic programmes, policy research and science communication on DMRR [1].
Flagship deliverable: PhD Programme in Disaster Management (AcSIR @ NIScPR, with NDMA support) [1].
Scope: joint research, policy studies, capacity building, interdisciplinary research, public engagement [1].

Administrative / Governance
Bridges a silo between MHA (NDMA) and MoST (CSIR) — rare cross-ministerial academic tie-up [1][2].
Complements existing NIDM (training) and NDRF (response) ecosystem with a doctoral research arm.
Scientific / Technological
Operationalises the Sendai Framework's call to invest in DRR science; brings CSIR's multidisciplinary base (atmospheric, geophysics, materials) into policy translation [1].
PhD pipeline to build domestic expertise in risk modelling, early warning, and climate-linked hazards.
Legal / Constitutional
Rooted in the DM Act, 2005, which empowers NDMA to lay down policies, plans and guidelines including for capacity building [3].
"Disaster Management" not listed in the Seventh Schedule — handled as a residual/concurrent subject; MoU illustrates Union-led coordination.
Social
Knowledge products on public engagement and science communication target community-level resilience; aligns with NDMA guidelines on community-based DM [1].
Ethical / Governance
Reinforces evidence-based policymaking; institutionalises academic scrutiny of DM programmes.

21 Feb 2026 — Tripartite MoU signed; PhD programme announced [1].
Ongoing CSIR One Week One Lab (OWOL) outreach featured NIScPR's policy-research mandate (background to current MoU) [1].

NDMA established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, enacted 23 December 2005 [3].
NDMA is chaired ex-officio by the Prime Minister [2].
NDMA functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, not MoST [2].
AcSIR is a deemed-to-be university created by the AcSIR Act, 2011, headquartered at Ghaziabad.
CSIR–NIScPR was formed in 2021 by merging NISCAIR + NISTADS [1].
The 21 February 2026 MoU launched a PhD in Disaster Management under AcSIR at CSIR–NIScPR with NDMA support [1].
Focus area of MoU: Disaster Management and Risk Reduction (DMRR) [1].
NDRF is the specialised response force; NIDM is the training institute — both distinct from NDMA [2].
NDMA's mandate includes approving the National Disaster Management Plan (latest: NDMP 2019) [2].
Press release issued by Ministry of Science & Technology (because CSIR is its agency) — common trap [1].

GS-III — Disaster Management: "Role of NDMA & institutional architecture for DRR in India."
GS-II — Governance: statutory bodies, inter-ministerial coordination.
GS-III — Science & Technology: S&T policy, role of CSIR.
Probable stems: 1. "Effective disaster management in India requires integrating scientific research with policy. Discuss in the context of recent NDMA–CSIR collaborations." (GS-III) 2. "Examine the institutional architecture under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and assess gaps in research-led policy formulation." (GS-III) 3. "How can academic-policy partnerships strengthen India's commitments under the Sendai Framework?" (GS-III)

Disaster Management Act, 2005 — statutory backbone.
Sendai Framework for DRR (2015–30) — global commitment India ratified.
NDMP 2019 — operational plan approved by NDMA.
NIDM & NDRF — training and response arms (frequently confused with NDMA).
CSIR & AcSIR — research and academic ecosystem under MoST.
Climate change & disaster nexus — IPCC linkages, GS-III overlap.
PM-CARES Fund — disaster financing controversy.
National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) — World Bank-aided NDMA project.

Treating NDMA as a Ministry of Science & Technology body because of this press release — it is under MHA [2].
Confusing NDMA (policy), NDRF (response), NIDM (training) — three distinct entities.
Calling AcSIR a "regular central university"; it is a deemed university under its own 2011 Act.
Assuming PhD will be awarded by NDMA — the degree-awarding body is AcSIR; NIScPR is the host [1].
Dating NDMA to 2006 (year of notification) vs 2005 (year of the Act) [3].