A publication of:
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Government of India (October 2024)

The National Guidelines on Disaster Management Exercises (DMEx), October 2024, issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), provide a comprehensive framework to strengthen disaster preparedness across India. These guidelines emphasize the importance of systematic and simulation-based exercises to validate disaster management plans, enhance coordination among stakeholders, and build operational readiness at all levels of government and community institutions. DMEx encompasses diverse exercises—ranging from tabletop to field drills—that help test existing procedures, improve decision-making under stress, and reinforce capacities of emergency response systems like Emergency Operations Centres (EOCs) and the Incident Response System (IRS). By fostering regular practice, evaluation, and learning, the guidelines aim to cultivate a culture of proactive preparedness, robust risk reduction, and resilient response mechanisms in line with national policies and legal mandates.

All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) supports Emergency Management Exercises (EMEx) by designing, facilitating, and evaluating mock drills and simulation exercises to strengthen preparedness, coordination, and response capacities of communities and institutions.