Describe various measures taken in India for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) before and after signing ‘Sendai Framework for DRR (2015–2030)’. How is this framework different from ‘Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005’?
Approach · directive: “describe / how”
What it asks · List India's DRR measures before and after Sendai (2015), then contrast the Sendai Framework with the Hyogo Framework.
The question has 3 parts — answer each
- Describe DRR measures taken in India before the Sendai Framework (2015)
- Describe DRR measures taken after signing the Sendai Framework
- How the Sendai Framework differs from the Hyogo Framework for Action, 2005
Open with · India moved from a relief-centred approach to risk reduction after the 1999 Odisha super cyclone and the 2004 tsunami; the Sendai Framework (2015-2030) succeeded the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015).
Cover
- Before Sendai: the Disaster Management Act, 2005 created the National, State and District Disaster Management Authorities; the National Disaster Response Force followed in 2006, and the National Policy on Disaster Management in 2009.
- Also before: NDMA guidelines for cyclones, earthquakes and floods, cyclone shelters and forecasting, the tsunami early-warning system (INCOIS, 2007), building codes and mock drills.
- After Sendai: the National Disaster Management Plan, 2016, India's first national plan, aligned with Sendai; the Prime Minister's ten-point agenda (2016); India hosted the 2016 Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR.
- Sendai's design: four priorities (understanding risk, stronger risk governance, investing in resilience, better preparedness with 'build back better') and seven global targets, agreed at Sendai in March 2015.
- Difference: Hyogo had five priorities but no measurable global targets and centred on natural hazards and building resilience; Sendai adds targets and indicators and aims to prevent new risk and reduce existing risk.
- Further shifts: from managing disasters to managing risk, stronger governance and accountability, all-of-society partnership, and a wider hazard scope covering natural and man-made hazards, including biological ones.
- Gaps in India: uneven State capacity, weak urban planning and building-code enforcement, thin local funds, and mitigation and insurance lagging behind response.
Close with · India has strong institutions for response and is moving towards risk reduction; Sendai's targets and risk-governance ideas call for stronger local action and resilient infrastructure.
Add value (verified)
- UNDRR summarises the Framework: adopted on 18 March 2015, its goal is to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk through all-of-society partnership, and it works towards seven targets. What is the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction?, United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) ↗“The Sendai Framework was adopted on 18 March 2015. Its goal is to prevent new and reduce existing disaster risk. This requires an all-of-society engagement and partnership. Everyone involved in the agreement is working towards 7 targets.”
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2018, GS Paper III — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer · 279 words (UPSC limit 250) · Minimalist IAS
The 1999 Odisha super cyclone and the 2004 tsunami pushed India from relief after disasters to reducing risk before them; the Sendai Framework (2015-2030) then replaced the Hyogo Framework for Action (2005-2015) as the global blueprint.
Measures before Sendai
- Law and institutions: the Disaster Management Act, 2005 created the National, State and District Disaster Management Authorities; the National Disaster Response Force followed in 2006 and the National Policy on Disaster Management in 2009.
- Hazard-specific action: NDMA guidelines for cyclones, earthquakes and floods, cyclone shelters and improved forecasting, the tsunami early-warning system at INCOIS (2007), building codes and mock drills.
Measures after Sendai
- The National Disaster Management Plan, 2016, India's first, aligned with Sendai's priorities and assigned roles to every ministry.
- The Prime Minister's ten-point agenda (2016) on risk reduction, and India's hosting of the Asian Ministerial Conference on DRR in 2016.
- Gaps that persist: uneven State capacity, weak urban planning and building-code enforcement, thin local funds, and mitigation and insurance lagging behind response.
Sendai versus Hyogo
- Targets: Hyogo set five priorities but no measurable goals; Sendai, adopted on 18 March 2015, has four priorities and seven global targets with indicators.
- Focus: Hyogo centred on building resilience to natural hazards; Sendai aims to prevent new risk and reduce existing risk, and covers natural and man-made hazards, including biological ones.
- Governance: Sendai stresses risk governance, accountability and an all-of-society partnership, and adds 'build back better' to preparedness and recovery.
- Priorities: understanding risk, strengthening risk governance, investing in resilience, and better preparedness for effective response and recovery.
India has strong institutions for response and is moving towards risk reduction; Sendai's targets and risk-governance ideas call for stronger local action and resilient infrastructure.
Written by Minimalist IAS from facts checked at source (how we verify) — a little fuller than exam length, so every part of the question is covered; in the hall, keep the structure and trim the detail. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.