Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar

Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is a national award given by the Government of India to honour individuals and institutions for their outstanding work in disaster management. The award is run by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs and covers prevention, mitigation, preparedness, rescue, response, relief, rehabilitation, research and early warning.

As of August 2026, the award for the year 2026 has already been announced. The winners were named on 23rd January 2026, on the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and the scheme continues to run every year with fresh nominations invited through the official awards portal.

Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar - Overview

This award was started by the Government of India to appreciate the selfless service of people and organisations working in disaster management. It is announced every year on 23rd January, which is also celebrated as Parakram Diwas. The award has two categories, one for institutions and one for individual citizens.

Unlike a simple certificate, the award also carries a cash prize. Institutions receive ₹51 lakh and individuals receive ₹5 lakh, along with a certificate. The money given to an institution has to be used for disaster management work. For the year 2026, a total of 271 nominations were received from institutions and individuals across the country.

Highlights

Benefits

The award gives national appreciation for work done in disaster management, along with a cash prize and a certificate. The main benefits are listed below.

• Institutions receive a cash prize of ₹51 lakh, which must be used for disaster management activities, along with a certificate.
• Individual winners receive a cash prize of ₹5 lakh and a certificate for their contribution.
• The award ceremony is held every year on 23rd January to honour those who work to save lives and build disaster resilience.

Eligibility

Anyone working in the field of disaster management in India can be considered for the award. The criteria are explained below.

• Individual applicants must be Indian citizens who have shown exceptional courage and dedication in disaster management.
• Institutions must be registered in India, including voluntary organisations, corporate bodies, academic institutions or uniformed forces.
• The work should cover areas such as prevention, mitigation, preparedness, rescue, response, relief, rehabilitation, research or early warning.
• The contribution must show a clear reduction in the impact of disasters on lives, property or livelihoods.

Application Process

Nominations are invited online through the National Awards Portal. The process is the same for individuals and institutions. For the 2026 award cycle, nominations were open from 1st May 2025 to 30th September 2025. The steps to apply are given below.

STEP 1 - Visit the official National Awards Portal and register or log in using the required credentials.

STEP 2 - Open the nomination form for Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar and fill in all the required details.

STEP 3 - Upload supporting documents, including a detailed citation, proof of achievements and the required certificates.

STEP 4 - Submit the form before the last date and keep a copy of the acknowledgement for reference.

Selection Process: Applications go through a three-tier screening that involves the NDMA, state and district authorities, and an expert committee under the Ministry of Home Affairs before the final winners are chosen.

Documents

Applicants need to give complete proof of their work in disaster management. The documents usually required are listed below.

• A detailed description of the disaster management work done, covering the areas of prevention, response and rehabilitation.
• Hard evidence of the achievements and their impact on the ground.
• Identity proof for individual applicants.
• Registration certificate for institutions.
• Recommendation letters and media coverage or reports that prove the impact of the work.

2026 Winners

For the year 2026, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) won the award in the institutional category, and Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke won it in the individual category. SSDMA was appreciated for training and deploying 1,185 Aapda Mitras across all Gram Panchayats in Sikkim and for its work during the 2023 Teesta floods and the 2016 Mantam landslide. Lieutenant Colonel Shelke was honoured for leading rescue and relief work during the 2024 Wayanad landslides in Kerala, including building a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala in record time.

References

For more details, see the official press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs at Press Information Bureau release on the 2026 award. The nomination notice for the 2026 award is also available at North Tripura district notice.

FAQ's

Who manages this award?

The award is implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Is there a cash prize?

Yes. Institutions receive ₹51 lakh and individual winners receive ₹5 lakh, along with a certificate. The money for institutions must be used for disaster management work.

Who can be nominated?

Any Indian citizen or institution registered in India, including NGOs, corporate bodies and academic institutions, that has contributed significantly to disaster management can be nominated.

Is self-nomination possible?

Yes. Individuals and institutions can nominate themselves through the official National Awards Portal.

How many winners are selected each year?

A maximum of 3 entities, combining individuals and institutions, are selected for the award every year.