New Delhi, March 17 Despite increasing operational responsibilities, no additional battalion of the National Disaster Response Force has been raised in the last three years, a parliamentary panel has noted.
In its report presented in both houses of Parliament, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, chaired by BJP MP Radha Mohan Das Agrawal, appreciated the critical role of the NDRF in disaster response and emphasized the need for adequate funding to meet its demands, particularly for additional personnel.
It also praised the Force's role in responding to disasters across multiple states/UTs and its participation in international humanitarian assistance operations.
"However, the Committee observes that despite increasing operational responsibilities, no additional battalion has been raised in the last three years, and the deployed strength (14,837) remains considerably below the authorized strength (18,581)," the panel said in the 257th report on Demands for Grants for 2026-27.
The Committee recommended that the Union Home Ministry assess manpower gaps and expedite measures to fill vacancies to ensure optimal operational readiness.
"The terms of deputation may be revised to incentivize more personnel from Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to join the NDRF," it said.
The Committee said that the shortage of funds for such critical schemes can adversely impact the functioning of the NDRF.
"The Committee recommends that the MHA may approach the Ministry of Finance at the Revised Estimates (RE) stage to secure the additional funds, if required, ensuring that operational efficiency and preparedness are not compromised during emergencies," it said, pointing out that only about 10 per cent of the total allocation in Budget Estimates 2026–27 has been earmarked for capital expenditure.
"In view of the increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, the Committee recommends that greater emphasis may be placed on strengthening capital assets, advanced rescue equipment, ICT-enabled response systems, and regional infrastructure to reduce response time and enhance disaster preparedness," it said.