NDRF receives the President's Colour at Ghaziabad; Amit Shah calls for 'zero casualty' disaster response
On 14 May 2026 Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour to the National Disaster Response Force at its 8th Battalion in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, about 20 years after the force was raised.
Summary
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) received the President's Colour on 14 May 2026 at a parade at its 8th Battalion in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, where Union Home Minister Amit Shah was chief guest. Shah said NDRF, with the motto 'Aapda Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra' and 16 battalions, had saved more than 1.5 lakh lives and evacuated over 9 lakh people in its 20 years, and urged a shift from 'minimum casualties' to 'zero casualties'. He virtually inaugurated the NDRF Regional Response Centre at Dehradun and laid foundation stones for six new centres at Agartala, Ernakulam, Nurpur, Lucknow, Gangtok and Gandhinagar. The NDRF was formed under the Disaster Management Act enacted on 26 December 2005 and was raised in 2006 with 8 battalions; the President's Colour is one of the highest honours for a force.
Key facts
- Date / venue
- 14 May 2026, 8th Bn NDRF, Ghaziabad (UP)
- Honour
- President's Colour, presented by Amit Shah
- Motto
- Aapda Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra
- Record
- 1.5 lakh+ lives saved; 9 lakh+ evacuated; 16 battalions
- New centres
- RRC Dehradun inaugurated; 6 RRCs: Agartala, Ernakulam, Nurpur, Lucknow, Gangtok, Gandhinagar
- Background
- Disaster Management Act, 26 Dec 2005; NDRF raised 2006 with 8 battalions
Practice MCQs 3 questions
What is the motto of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Aapda Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra
Amit Shah noted at the President's Colour ceremony that NDRF personnel go anywhere with the motto 'Aapda Seva Sadaiv Sarvatra'.
Where was the President's Colour presented to the NDRF on 14 May 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 8th Battalion, Ghaziabad
Amit Shah presented the President's Colour at a parade held at 8th Bn NDRF, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Consider the following statements about the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): 1. It was constituted under the Disaster Management Act, which was enacted in December 2005. 2. It was raised in 2006 with 8 battalions and now has 16 battalions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The Disaster Management Act was enacted on 26 December 2005 and provided for the NDRF, which started with 8 battalions in 2006 and has expanded to 16.