♦ The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) celebrates January 19 as its raising day. NDRF was raised on January 19, 2006, as the main disaster response force of the country. Initially NDRF established with eight Battalions, it has now expanded to 16 Battalions, each comprising 1,149 personnel.  

♦ Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, India experienced a number of natural disasters. Among these are the earthquakes in Gujarat in 2001, the Mumbai floods in 2005, and the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004.

♦ There was a need for a response force specifically focused on rescue operations, even if the Indian Armed Forces (IAF) were engaged for rescue and recovery operations.

♦ As a result, the 2005 Disaster Management Act was passed. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established under the legislation as the highest authority for natural catastrophes, and the NDRF was designated as the specialised rescue force within the NDMA’s purview.