- Why in news
- On 9 February 2026, the Minister of State for Jal Shakti told the Rajya Sabha about FMBAP projects, flood-affected area and central assistance to States (USQ 1051).
- What it is
- FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti. It gives central assistance to States for flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion works. It also funds river management and anti-erosion works in border areas with Nepal and Bangladesh.
- Nature of scheme
- FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme giving central assistance to States for flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion works.
- Role of States
- Flood schemes are formulated and implemented by States as per their priority. The Union supplements with technical guidance and promotional financial assistance.
- RMBA component
- RMBA funds maintenance of Kosi and Gandak flood protection works in the Nepal portion, and anti-erosion works in border areas with Bangladesh and Nepal in India.
- Flood-affected area
- CWC assessment (2024 report, 1986-2022 satellite data) puts flood-affected area at 21.213 Mha, with 20.538 Mha protected.
- Works funded
- Works include embankments, sluices, retaining/gabion walls, drainage channels, bank revetment, groynes/spurs and RCC porcupines.
Don’t confuse with FMBAP vs RMBA: RMBA is only one component of FMBAP, for border river works; FMBAP also covers general flood control and anti-erosion works in States.
Don’t confuse with FMBAP vs National Disaster Response Fund: FMBAP funds structural flood control works. Disaster funds mainly pay for relief and response.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Gives States technical and financial support for structural flood protection in critical areas.
- Protects border areas and supports joint river management with Nepal and Bangladesh.
Problems
- Flood is a State subject, so Centre only supplements; outcomes depend on State priority and capacity.
- Embankments need constant maintenance, and a gap remains between affected and protected area.
Way forward
- Combine structural works with non-structural measures such as flood forecasting and floodplain zoning.
- Speed up project approval and release of funds, with maintenance and basin-level planning.
Put in your answer
CWC flood assessment: Flood-affected area 21.213 Mha, protected 20.538 Mha (CWC, 2024 report).
RMBA example: Kosi and Gandak works in Nepal portion are maintained under RMBA, showing cross-border flood cooperation.
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q18Causes of urban floods, two major floods, and policies to tackle them
- 2017Mains GS1 · Q16How floods can become sustainable irrigation and inland navigation sources
- 2022Mains GS3 · Q18Causes and effects of coastal erosion, and management techniques to combat it
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.The Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP) is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
- 2.Under FMBAP, flood management schemes are formulated and executed by the Union Government, with States only providing land.
- 3.The River Management Activities and Works related to Border Areas (RMBA) component of FMBAP funds maintenance of the Kosi and Gandak flood protection works in the Nepal portion.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
True. FMBAP is a centrally sponsored scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
2.Under FMBAP, flood management schemes are planned and executed by the Union Government, with States only providing land.
False. States formulate and implement flood schemes as per their priority; the Union gives technical guidance and promotional financial assistance.
3.FMBAP assistance can be used for anti-sea erosion and drainage development works.
True. Scope includes flood control, anti-erosion, drainage development and anti-sea erosion.
4.The RMBA component of FMBAP funds maintenance of Kosi and Gandak flood protection works located in Nepal.
True. RMBA funds Kosi and Gandak works in the Nepal portion and border-area anti-erosion works with Nepal and Bangladesh.
5.The RMBA component covers border river works with Pakistan and China as well as Nepal and Bangladesh.
False. The release mentions only the Nepal and Bangladesh borders.
6.The Central Water Commission's 2024 assessment of flood-affected area uses satellite imagery data from 1986 to 2022.
True. The CWC report is based on satellite imagery from 1986 to 2022.
7.According to the CWC assessment cited, the area protected by flood management measures is greater than the total flood-affected area.
False. Protected area is 20.538 Mha, less than the flood-affected area of 21.213 Mha.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
The Minister of State for Jal Shakti recently informed the Rajya Sabha that the Union Government supports States on flood control through the centrally sponsored Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP), while the Central Water Commission assesses about 21.2 million hectares of India as flood-affected. Examine the main features of FMBAP and discuss the challenges in flood management in India, suggesting a way forward.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.