Centre releases ₹20,000 crore in disaster relief funds for 2025-26 fiscal year

Massive relief funds flow to flood-ravaged states while fire services get a ₹900 crore modernization boost. Will this curb future disaster risks?

, and Administrator

2026 March 20 . 7:04 PM

1 min read

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Centre releases ₹20,000 crore in disaster relief funds for 2025-26 fiscal year

The central government has released thousands of crores in disaster relief funds to states for the financial year 2025-26. A High-Level Committee (HLC) also approved fresh allocations for flood-hit Assam and Gujarat, as well as fire service upgrades in three states.

The latest disbursements cover multiple schemes, including the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), and State Disaster Mitigation Fund (SDMF).

Under the SDRF, ₹13,603.20 crore has already reached 27 states. Another ₹2,024.04 crore was distributed under the NDRF to 12 states. Additionally, ₹4,571.30 crore from the SDMF went to 21 states, while ₹372.09 crore from the NDMF was allocated to nine states.

The HLC, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, cleared ₹707.97 crore in extra central aid for Assam and Gujarat. These funds address damages from floods and landslides in 2024. Assam will receive ₹313.69 crore, while Gujarat's share stands at ₹394.28 crore.

Separately, ₹903.67 crore was approved for modernising fire services in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Of this, ₹676.33 crore comes from the central government. Haryana's allocation is ₹117.19 crore, Madhya Pradesh will get ₹397.54 crore, and Rajasthan is set to receive ₹388.94 crore.

The latest funding decisions bring total central disbursements for disaster relief and mitigation to over ₹20,000 crore this fiscal year. Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan will now implement upgrades and recovery measures using the approved amounts. Further details on specific projects remain to be announced by state authorities.