Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 | 27 Jan 2026

Why in News?

The Government of India has selected the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) in the Institutional Category and Lt Col. Seeta Ashok Shelke in the Individual Category for the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026.

Key Points:

• Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar: To honor Indian nationals and institutions that have demonstrated exceptional courage and dedication in disaster management (Prevention, Mitigation, Preparation, Rescue, and Rehabilitation). 
• Announcement: Every year on January 23 (Parakram Diwas). 
• Prize Money: 
  • Institutional: A certificate and ₹51 Lakh (the money must be used by the institution for disaster management activities). 
  • Individual: A certificate and ₹5 Lakh. 
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). 
• Institutional Category: Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) has been recognized for its pioneering work in the Himalayan ecosystem, focusing on community-centered disaster resilience. 
• Key Achievement (Aapda Mitra): The authority has successfully trained and deployed 1,185 Aapda Mitras (community volunteers) across all Gram Panchayats.  
  • These volunteers act as first responders during landslides and floods, common in the high-altitude terrain. 
• Operational Success: The SSDMA was instrumental in managing the 2023 Teesta Flash Floods and the 2016 Mantam Landslide, using real-time coordination to rescue over 2,500 people and minimize loss of life in difficult geographical conditions. 
• Individual Category: Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke gained national acclaim for her leadership during the 2024 Wayanad (Kerala) Landslides.  
  • Under her command, the Army's engineering wing constructed a 190-foot-long Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala in record time under heavy rain and unstable terrain. 
• Significance:The dual recognition at the national level highlights the importance of institutional preparedness and individual heroism in effective disaster management.