Subhash Chandra Bose: India Announces Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 Honorees
Subhash Chandra Bose: The Government of India has officially announced the recipients of the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026, one of the country’s highest recognitions in the field of disaster management. The award this year honors excellence at both institutional and individual levels, acknowledging transformative contributions that strengthened disaster preparedness, response, and resilience across vulnerable regions of India.
Recognition of Excellence in Disaster Management Leadership
In the institutional category, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has been selected for its sustained efforts in building a robust, community-driven disaster management framework. In the individual category, Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke of the Indian Army has been honored for her exceptional leadership during high-risk humanitarian operations.
Both awardees represent distinct but complementary approaches to disaster risk reduction, combining grassroots preparedness with operational excellence in emergency response.
Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Shelke’s Role in Wayanad Disaster Response
Lieutenant Colonel Shelke earned national recognition for leading large-scale humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations during the devastating floods and landslides in Wayanad district, Kerala, in 2024. Operating under extreme weather conditions, she coordinated closely with civil administration, local leaders, and emergency responders to ensure timely evacuation and uninterrupted relief distribution.
Her leadership was marked by decisive action during multiple high-risk rescue missions that resulted in the safe evacuation of hundreds of civilians. One of her most notable achievements was the rapid construction of a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala, which restored critical connectivity to remote and cut-off villages.
Innovation, Engineering Expertise, and Capacity Building
Beyond rescue operations, Lieutenant Colonel Shelke demonstrated innovative problem-solving by deploying advanced engineering techniques in disaster zones. She oversaw the use of heavy machinery such as a Komatsu PC210 excavator as a counterweight and enabled the construction of an improvised footbridge within four hours during nighttime operations.
By mobilizing nearly 150 tons of equipment, her team ensured relief and recovery reached thousands of affected residents. She also played a key role in training over 2,300 personnel in disaster response and humanitarian operations, translating engineering expertise into actionable disaster risk reduction on the ground. Her work stands as a strong example of operational leadership and the expanding role of women in disaster response and mitigation.
SSDMA’s Community-Centered Disaster Preparedness Model
Established in 2005, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority has emerged as a national model for community-based disaster resilience. The authority has deployed 1,185 trained Aapda Mitras across three administrative tiers, ensuring disaster management presence from village to district levels.
Disaster Management Assistants are positioned in all Gram Panchayats, supported by supervisors at block headquarters and coordinators at district headquarters. This structure has enabled participatory planning, localized capacity building, and the formation of Panchayat-level committees focused on disaster and climate risk reduction.
Proven Impact During Major Disasters
The effectiveness of SSDMA’s approach was demonstrated during major emergencies such as the 2016 Mantam landslide and the 2023 Teesta floods. Real-time coordination and trained first responders facilitated the rescue of 2,563 people, significantly reducing casualties and infrastructure damage.
Through its Aapda Mitra initiative, SSDMA has institutionalized a proactive, scalable, and replicable model of disaster risk reduction. The focus on early warning systems, preparedness, and local capacity makes this framework particularly relevant for Himalayan and North Eastern states facing similar geographic and climate challenges.
About the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar
Instituted by the Central Government, the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is conferred annually to recognize exemplary and selfless service in disaster management. The award is announced every year on January 23, commemorating the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
Under the leadership of Amit Shah, India has significantly strengthened its disaster management systems, leading to improved preparedness, mitigation strategies, and response mechanisms that have contributed to reduced mortality during natural disasters.
Nomination Process and National Participation
For the 2026 awards, nominations were invited from May 1, 2025 onwards. A total of 271 nominations were received from individuals and institutions across the country, reflecting widespread participation and growing recognition of disaster management as a critical national priority.