INTRODUCTION:

The world has witnessed countless deadly disasters since its existence¹, and their frequency and intensity have remained a pressing concern². In 2024, the United States experienced 27-billion-dollar disaster events, resulting in 568 deaths and causing damages totalling $182.7 billion³. These events significantly impacted the U.S. economy and society, raising concerns about the nation's ability to mitigate such large-scale disasters.

Despite being the world’s leading economic and military power⁴, these challenges highlight the need for improved preparedness, not only for the United States but also for other developed and developing nations. Countries like China, India, Japan, and Indonesia, with their unique geographic and demographic complexities, must prioritise disaster management strategies⁵. In particular, India, as the most populous country globally⁶ and with its diverse blend of geographical regions faces heightened vulnerability to disasters and their devastating effects⁷.

Disaster Management in India:

India is a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic with a Parliamentary form of government that is federal in structure with unitary features⁸. Recognising the critical importance of disaster management^9,10, the country introduced the Disaster Management Act in 2005, which established a structured and comprehensive framework for addressing disasters¹¹. This multi-tiered framework operates at the national, state, and district levels, with dedicated disaster management authorities assigned to each. This multi-tiered framework ensures coordinated and effective disaster management efforts across all levels of government. From enacting policies and plans to implementing agendas, India strives to ensure that no aspect of disaster preparedness and response is overlooked.

Over the time, India has acknowledged disaster management as an unavoidable and intricate task¹². As an emerging global power and a member of the United Nations, India aligns its strategies with UN guidelines and adheres to global frameworks for disaster risk reduction. Beyond national and state-level measures, India actively collaborates with international organisations¹³, participates in global initiatives, and shares best practices, underscoring its commitment to fostering a robust and globally integrated approach to disaster management.

METHODOLOGY:

The compliance of global policy frameworks and agreements related to disaster management practices in India is thoroughly examined in this paper. This includes analysing global frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 2015, and the COP21 Paris Agreement – 2015, which are assessed to understand their alignment and relevance to disaster management in India strategies.

Pillars of India’s International Disaster Management Policy Frameworks and Agreement:

India’s disaster management practices align with global frameworks to ensure comprehensive and sustainable solutions. The three pillars of International disaster management in India have significantly evolved to align with national priorities. Global framework policy, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR), 2015-2030 (incorporated in continuation of The Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005-2015), provides a strategic approach to risk minimisation and resilience enhancement. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – 2015, especially Goals 11 and 13, highlight the importance of disaster-resilient infrastructure and climate action, which India incorporates into its strategies. Additionally, commitments under the Paris Agreement – 2015 (COP21) shape India’s approach to address climate-related disasters through adaptation and mitigation. These integrations strengthen national resilience while contributing to global efforts in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. These three pillars mentioned above are briefly analysed here, accompanied by a general review.

1) Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) 2015 – 2030:

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, adopted at the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in March 2015 in Sendai, Japan, is an international agreement aimed at substantially reducing disaster risks and losses over 15 years. This framework succeeds the Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005-2015 and incorporates significant advancements in disaster risk management. The Sendai Framework’s overarching objective is to achieve a substantial reduction in disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods, and health as well as in the economic, physical, social, cultural, and environmental assets of persons, businesses, communities, and countries by 2030¹⁴. The key components and structure of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 is as under:

General Review

The Sendai Framework outlines a comprehensive approach for managing disaster risks across all levels and sectors¹⁵. It applies to a broad spectrum of disasters, whether small-scale or large-scale, sudden or gradual, natural or human-made. The framework’s purpose is to promote multi-hazard management by addressing the risks associated with environmental, technological, and biological hazards. Its expected outcome focuses on significantly reducing disaster risks and losses, including human, economic, social, and environmental impacts. The goal is to strengthen resilience through integrated measures addressing hazard exposure and vulnerabilities while enhancing preparedness for response and recovery.

The framework identifies seven global targets, such as reducing disaster mortality, reducing affected people, minimizing economic losses, minimizing damage to critical infrastructure, increasing countries with disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies, increasing international cooperation and increasing the availability of early warning systems. Four priorities for action – understanding risks, strengthening governance, investing in resilience, and improving preparedness – guide its implementation. Additionally, the guiding principles stress the importance of shared responsibility, societal engagement, inclusivity, and coherent policy-making across sectors. The implementation and monitoring process, led by the UNISDR, ensures global cooperation, encourages the development of disaster strategies, and integrates disaster risk reduction into broader development planning.

Analysis:

The Sendai Framework provides a structured and actionable approach to disaster risk reduction, which is crucial for building resilience globally. By focusing on reducing risks through proactive measures such as risk-informed investment and robust governance, the framework addresses not only immediate disaster response but also long-term sustainability. The integration of multi-hazard approaches ensures comprehensive risk assessments and decision-making.

The emphasis on inclusivity, especially through empowering local communities and ensuring gender-equitable participation, reflects a progressive stance toward resilience-building. Targets like enhancing early warning systems and reducing infrastructure damage highlight the framework’s forward-looking approach. However, its success depends on effective implementation, coordination among stakeholders, and the commitment of resources from developed to developing countries. The inclusion of “Build Back Better” as a guiding principle exemplifies a commitment to transforming recovery phases into opportunities for resilience enhancement, making the framework a holistic tool for addressing modern disaster challenges.

2) Sustainability Development Goals – 2015:

The United Nations General Assembly adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on 25th September 2015. Comprising 17 Global Goals and 169 targets, they represent a universal call to action aimed at eradicating poverty, safeguarding the environment, and ensuring universal peace and prosperity. Building upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the SDGs encompass new priorities such as addressing climate change, economic disparity, innovation, sustainable consumption, and fostering peace and justice. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved by 2030¹⁶.

General Review of SDGs – 2015:

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out a comprehensive framework to tackle global challenges, from eliminating poverty and hunger to combating climate change and achieving gender equality. Each goal focuses on specific areas of sustainable development, with interconnected objectives aimed at creating a balanced approach to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of growth. The SDGs require coordinated action from governments, businesses, civil society, and individuals to achieve meaningful and long-lasting progress. These goals address both the direct and underlying causes of inequality, resource depletion, and vulnerability to disasters. For example, SDG 1 aims to eliminate all forms of poverty, while SDG 13 focuses on climate action, and SDG 11 strives to make cities inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. The SDGs, when implemented together, hold the potential to not only uplift communities but also foster resilience in the face of disasters.

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are closely linked, with many SDGs directly supporting disaster management efforts. Disaster events, both sudden and slow-onset, can reverse development achievements, while climate change acts as a multiplier of risks. This interrelationship between SDGs and SFDRR highlights the importance of integrated strategies to build resilience against disasters and mitigate socio-economic impacts. The SDG’s synergy with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction underscores the shared commitment to achieving sustainable and resilient communities. Many targets within the SDGs align with disaster risk reduction, and the progress in one area helps strengthen efforts in the other.

Analysis:

The analysis of the SDGs concerning SFDRR reveals a profound interdependence. Several SDGs contain specific targets that directly support SFDRR initiatives, contributing to the broader objective of disaster resilience¹⁷. For instance:

· Goal 1: No Poverty is inherently linked to SFDRR through its targets to build resilience for the poor and vulnerable populations, particularly in disaster-prone regions. Reducing poverty strengthens the capacity of individuals and communities to withstand disasters and recover from them.

· Goal 2: Zero Hunger incorporates targets related to sustainable food production systems, which are crucial for enhancing resilience against climate-related hazards, such as droughts and floods, that disrupt agricultural production.

· Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation includes targets to protect water-related ecosystems, ensuring that communities have access to clean water, especially in post-disaster recovery scenarios where water access is often disrupted.

· Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities focuses on reducing disaster impacts on urban populations, emphasizing the importance of resilience-building measures and risk management plans that align with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. By integrating disaster risk reduction into urban planning, cities can prevent future risks and mitigate the impacts of natural hazards.

· Goal 13: Climate Action aligns with SFDRR as it addresses the need to strengthen resilience against climate-related hazards, such as extreme weather events. By focusing on both adaptation and mitigation, this goal helps prepare communities for future climate challenges.

· Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, including public-private partnerships, which are critical for enhancing disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts. Effective partnerships enable better resource allocation and the sharing of knowledge and technologies, which are essential for achieving both the SDGs and SFDRR objectives.

The Sendai Framework’s emphasis on building disaster resilience resonates throughout these SDGs. The framework’s targets, such as reducing disaster mortality, protecting infrastructure, and promoting early warning systems, complement the SDGs by fostering actions that ensure communities are not only prepared for disaster impacts but can also recover and continue progressing towards sustainable development goals.

By achieving the SDGs, countries can enhance their capacity to reduce disaster risks, making them better equipped to handle crises. The ‘leave no one behind’ principle in both the SDGs and the Sendai Framework highlights the need for targeted efforts to protect the most vulnerable populations. This approach ensures that disaster risk reduction strategies are inclusive, addressing the unique needs of marginalized groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities.

In conclusion, the mutual reinforcement of the SDGs and the Sendai Framework underlines the importance of integrated strategies that address both development and disaster resilience. Achieving the SDGs and implementing the Sendai Framework together will not only build resilient communities but also ensure that these communities are better equipped to face the challenges posed by climate change and other disaster risks.

3) COP 21 Paris Agreement – 2015:

The COP21 Paris Agreement (The 21st Conference of the Parties), adopted in 2015, marked a significant milestone in global climate policy. While it is primarily focused on mitigating climate change by limiting global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C, it also has important implications for disaster management¹⁸. Here are the key points related to disaster management in the context of the Paris Agreement:

General Review:

The Paris Agreement establishes an overarching framework to combat climate change and its adverse effects, aiming for a sustainable and climate-resilient future. The primary objectives include limiting the global temperature rise to below 2°C while striving for a 1.5°C threshold, enhancing adaptation and resilience measures, and aligning financial flows with low-emission, climate-resilient pathways. These goals underscore the urgent need for global cooperation, solidarity, and sustainable development. Mitigation is a cornerstone of the agreement, with commitments such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), global emission reduction targets, and support for developing countries. Additionally, voluntary cooperation mechanisms enable countries to use market-based tools like internationally transferred mitigation outcomes (ITMOs) and non-market approaches to fulfil their climate goals effectively.

Adaptation focuses on strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerabilities through country-driven strategies like National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), monitoring and evaluation, and shared knowledge. Article 8 addresses loss and damage, recognising the challenges posed by irreversible climate impacts and promoting collaborative measures like early warning systems and risk insurance. Financial provisions under Article 9 ensure developed countries mobilise resources to assist developing nations in mitigation and adaptation efforts, with an emphasis on transparency and scaling up support.

Analysis:

The Paris Agreement’s objectives are intricately designed to address both the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and the adaptation to climate change impacts. Limiting the temperature rise to below 2°C, with aspirations for 1.5°C, acknowledges the scientific consensus that even marginal increases significantly amplify risks to ecosystems, communities, and economies. This target highlights the criticality of immediate action to reduce emissions globally. Mitigation measures, such as NDCs, are pivotal in translating global goals into actionable national strategies. The emphasis on differentiated responsibilities recognises the varying capacities of developed and developing nations, fostering a balanced approach to achieving emission reduction targets. Voluntary cooperation mechanisms, including ITMOs and the Sustainable Development Mechanism (SDM), provide innovative avenues for countries to collaborate, enhancing cost-efficiency and sustainability in achieving their goals.

Adaptation and resilience-building efforts acknowledge the unavoidable consequences of climate change, especially for vulnerable regions. Country-driven approaches ensure strategies are tailored to specific needs, while mechanisms like NAPs and adaptation communications foster long-term planning and transparency. The inclusion of loss and damage mechanisms underscores the agreement’s recognition of the limits of adaptation and the need to address irreversible impacts, particularly for the most affected communities. Financial provisions are integral to the agreement’s success, enabling developing nations to implement climate actions effectively. The global stocktake ensures accountability and progress evaluation, promoting continuous improvement. Collectively, the Paris Agreement’s comprehensive approach aligns climate action with sustainable development, fostering resilience and global cooperation to address one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

General Recommendations:

Effective disaster management requires comprehensive frameworks that address challenges at local, national, and international levels. Based on the analysis of the three key frameworks, the following recommendations are proposed to enhance the overall efficiency and inclusivity of disaster management strategies:

· International collaboration is crucial, but it should prioritise neighbouring countries for faster and more practical cooperation.

· Technology should be deeply integrated into all frameworks, enabling innovative solutions for disaster risk reduction and response.

· International frameworks should be tailored to align with local-level governance to address region-specific needs effectively.

· Disaster risk reduction frameworks should emphasise addressing environmental challenges, including unplanned infrastructure development, global warming, rising sea levels, declining groundwater levels, excessive transport emissions, unnecessary mobile network towers, overuse of chemicals, waste disposal by humans, etc., to mitigate their impact on nature and reduce vulnerabilities.

· Disaster management frameworks should recognise the importance of focusing on local or ground-level efforts, even when addressing international or global strategies, to ensure effective and context-specific responses.

By addressing these recommendations, disaster management frameworks can become more cohesive, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving challenges posed by natural and human-made disasters. Strengthening local, national, and international coordination will significantly improve resilience and minimise the socio-economic impacts of disasters.

Study Limitations:

This study reviewed India’s international frameworks like the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015 – 2030, SDGs, and the COP21 Paris Agreement. Future research can focus on evaluating their practical implementation, alignment, and effectiveness in achieving resilience and sustainable disaster risk reduction.

CONCLUSION:

The study of India’s disaster management framework, encompassing the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the COP21 Paris Agreement, underscores the importance of a comprehensive and integrated approach to disaster risk management. These frameworks collectively provide a robust foundation for enhancing preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation, while aligning national efforts with global practices and commitments.

Each framework brings unique strengths, whether through policy directives or international collaboration. Together, they address critical aspects of disaster management, including institutional coordination, risk reduction, and community resilience. The integration of technology and environmental sustainability into these frameworks highlights a forward-looking approach that acknowledges the increasing complexity of disaster scenarios in the modern era.

Despite significant progress, the need for continuous improvement remains critical to address evolving challenges and ensure that policies and strategies remain effective, inclusive, and adaptive. By strengthening existing mechanisms and fostering alignment between national and international frameworks, India can further bolster its capacity to safeguard vulnerable communities, mitigate disaster impacts, and advance sustainable development goals.

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Received on 24.12.2025 Revised on 13.01.2026

Accepted on 27.01.2026 Published on 07.03.2026

Available online from March 10, 2026

Res. J. of Humanities and Social Sciences. 2026;17(1):33-38.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5828.2026.00006

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.