India's Dam Safety Framework (Current Events of National And International importance)
India's Dam Safety Framework (Current Events of National And International importance)
Why In News:
The 12th meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety was held, reviewing the policy, monitoring, and emergency preparedness framework for dam safety in India.
The Committee, constituted under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, oversees the safety of India's dams at a time when a majority of them are ageing.
Source: PIB Today, 17 July 2026, 'National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS)'
The Dam Safety Act, 2021: Institutional Architecture
National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): An apex body under the Act responsible for evolving dam safety policies and recommending necessary regulations.
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): A regulatory body implementing the policies of the NCDS, coordinating with State Dam Safety Organisations, and resolving inter-state matters relating to dam safety.
State Dam Safety Organisations (SDSOs): Set up in every state with specified dams, responsible for continuous surveillance, inspection, and monitoring of dams within their jurisdiction.
Applicability: The Act applies to all specified dams in the country, defined as dams with height above 15 metres, or between 10 and 15 metres with certain additional design and structural conditions.
Key Facts for Prelims
Ministry: The dam safety framework functions under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.
Central Water Commission (CWC): India's premier technical organisation on water resources, which historically compiled the National Register of Large Dams and continues to play a technical advisory role in dam safety.
State Dam Safety Committee: A distinct body at the state level, involving experts and administrators, that reviews dam safety within each state, complementing the SDSO's operational monitoring role.
Comprehensive definition of 'dam': Under the Act, a dam includes any structure constructed across a stream, river, or nullah to store or divert water, formalising a wide legal scope for regulatory oversight.