Context:

Recently, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), in collaboration with the Southern Command of the Indian Army, has organized ‘Exercise AIKYA’.

Key Highlights of the Exercise

• It is a two-day national symposium exercise on disaster management held in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• The exercise aims to enhance disaster preparedness and foster robust collaboration among key stakeholders.
• IMD officials, National Remote Sensing Centers, the Central Water Commission, and the Forest Survey of India will also participate in the symposium.
• The Exercise simulated emergency situations to test roles and responsibilities, fostered discussions on technologies and trends in disaster relief, and reviewed lessons from recent operations. 
• It addressed issues including tsunamis, landslides, floods, cyclones, industrial incidents, and forest fires, with a focus on recent events in Tamil Nadu, Wayanad, and Andhra Pradesh.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

• NDMA is mandated to lay down the policies, plans, and guidelines for Disaster Management to ensure timely and effective response to disasters.
• The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) is the highest authority for disaster management in India.
• The establishment of the NDMA is mandated by the Disaster Management Act of 2005.
• The NDMA is headed by the Prime Minister of India.
• The Act also calls for the creation of supportive institutional mechanisms at the State and District levels for effective disaster management.

Indian Army

• The Indian Army is organized into 7 commands with 6 operational commands and one training command. 
• Southern Command (Headquarters – Pune).
• The theme of the Indian Army of the year 2024 is “Year of Technology Absorption” 

Disaster Management provisions:

• Currently, the Seventh Schedule does not explicitly include an entry dedicated to "disaster management."
• Administrative Reforms Commission’s 3rd report titled ‘Crisis Management’ recommends A new entry, “Management of Disasters and Emergencies, natural or manmade”, may be included in List III (Concurrent List) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.