Disaster Management

14 UPSC Mains GS III questions on Disaster Management, 2013 to 2026, newest first, as UPSC set them. See also practice questions on Disaster Management toppers answered.

1. 2026 Q18“Community participation is the cornerstone of effective disaster management”. Analyse this statement with suitable examples from India. Also discuss the challenges to community participation and measures to strengthen it.15 marks · 250 words
2. 2024 Q18Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods.15 marks · 250 words
3. 2023 Q7Dam failures are always catastrophic, especially on the downstream side, resulting in a colossal loss of life and property. Analyze the various causes of dam failures. Give two examples of large dam failures.10 marks · 150 words
4. 2022 Q8Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples.10 marks · 150 words
5. 2022 Q18Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard ?15 marks · 250 words
6. 2021 Q8Discuss about the vulnerability of India to earthquake related hazards. Give examples including the salient features of major disasters caused by earthquakes in different parts of India during the last three decades.10 marks · 150 words
7. 2021 Q18Describe the various causes and the effects of landslides. Mention the important components of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy.15 marks · 250 words
8. 2019 Q18Disaster preparedness is the first step in any disaster management process. Explain how hazard zonation mapping will help disaster mitigation in the case of landslides.15 marks · 250 words
9. 2017 Q18On December 2004, tsunami brought havoc on fourteen countries including India. Discuss the factors responsible for occurrence of tsunami and its effects on life and economy. In the light of guidelines of NDMA (2010) describe the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.15 marks · 250 words
10. 2016 Q15The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events.12.5 marks · 200 words
11. 2016 Q16With reference to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) guidelines, discuss the measures to be adopted to mitigate the impact of the recent incidents of cloudbursts in many places of Uttarakhand.12.5 marks · 200 words
12. 2015 Q16The frequency of earthquakes appears to have increased in the Indian subcontinent. However, India’s preparedness for mitigating their impact has significant gaps. Discuss various aspects.12.5 marks · 200 words
13. 2014 Q14Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Niño and La Niña fallouts in India.12.5 marks · 200 words
14. 2013 Q18How important are vulnerability and risk assessment for pre-disaster management ? As an administrator, what are key areas that you would focus on in a Disaster Management System.10 marks · 200 words

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination question papers, upsc.gov.in. Topics are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.