- Why in news
- On 26 October 2026, Cabinet Secretary Dr T. V. Somanathan chaired an NCMC meeting to review preparedness for cyclonic storm 'ARNAB' in the Bay of Bengal, expected to hit the Andhra Pradesh coast on 28 October.
- What it is
- The National Crisis Management Committee is the top committee at the Centre for coordinating response to major crises and disasters. It is headed by the Cabinet Secretary. It reviews preparedness and gives directions to Central ministries and States when a serious disaster threatens.
- Chair
- The Cabinet Secretary chaired this NCMC meeting.
- Forecast landfall
- The storm was forecast to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm.
- Forecasting agency
- IMD briefed the committee on the storm's track and intensity.
- Response forces
- NDRF and SDRF teams were on standby, with armed forces and Coast Guard ready.
- Fishermen advisory
- Fishermen were told not to go to sea from 26 to 29 October.
Don’t confuse with NCMC vs NDMA: NCMC is a Cabinet Secretary-led committee for crisis coordination. NDMA is the statutory apex disaster body under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, headed by the Prime Minister.
Environment: Prelims tests bodies, programmes and the law behind them; Mains asks why plans fall short.
Why it matters
- Top-level coordination of Centre, States and armed forces improves readiness and aims at zero loss of life.
Problems
- Coordinating many agencies and protecting coastal livelihoods and infrastructure within a short warning window.
Way forward
- Strengthen early warning, last-mile communication and timely evacuation with quick restoration of essential services.
Put in your answer
Zero casualty approach: The Cabinet Secretary set the aim of zero loss of life and quick restoration of essential services.
- 2017Mains GS3 · Q18Discuss tsunami factors, effects, and NDMA-guided preparedness mechanisms to reduce risk.
- 2020Mains GS3 · Q18Discuss recent Indian disaster management measures shifting from reactive to proactive approach.
- 2013Mains GS3 · Q18Importance of vulnerability and risk assessment; key areas for administrators in disaster management.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
With reference to the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) and the response to cyclonic storm 'ARNAB' in the Bay of Bengal in October 2026, which one of the following statements is correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.The National Crisis Management Committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary.
True. The Cabinet Secretary chairs the NCMC.
2.The India Meteorological Department briefed the committee on the cyclone's position and forecast track.
True. The IMD DG gave the briefing on position and track.
3.The cyclone was forecast to cross the coast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm.
True. Landfall was forecast between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm.
4.The cyclone was forecast to make landfall on the Odisha coast.
False. Landfall was forecast on the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts; Odisha was to be affected afterwards.
5.The Union Home Secretary chairs the National Crisis Management Committee.
False. The Cabinet Secretary chairs it; the Home Secretary attends.
6.Cabinet Secretary directed that Eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar be alerted because of expected high rainfall.
True. Eastern UP and Bihar were to be alerted by MHA/IMD.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2028: most news questions come within two years of the event.