Highlighting the increasing impact of climate change, rapid urbanisation and natural hazards across the country, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher education institutions (HEIs) to integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) into undergraduate education.
Based on recommendations from the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the UGC has proposed the introduction of a two-credit skill enhancement course on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, along with the formation of DRR clubs, from the academic year 2026–27. The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The proposed curriculum follows national and global disaster risk reduction frameworks and focuses on practical learning, preparedness planning and building resilience. HEIs have been encouraged to customise the syllabus by including region-specific disaster risks, local vulnerabilities and indigenous practices to support experiential learning and foster disaster-ready behaviour among students.
According to the UGC, NIDM has prepared a structured model curriculum for the course. It is recommended for students who have completed Class 12 and is ideally placed in the first year, second semester of undergraduate programmes.
The 100-mark course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, assess and reduce disaster risks, and to develop effective disaster management plans at the individual, institutional and community levels.