**Executive Summary**
The 11th Meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was held on January 20, 2026, in New Delhi. The meeting, attended by representatives from various governmental bodies and experts, focused on dam safety-related policies and regulations. Key discussion points included Standard Operating Procedures for Dam Safety Evaluation, Risk Assessment Frameworks, and the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Comprehensive Dam Safety Evaluation (CDSE):**
* Discussion and suggestions on Standard Operating Procedures for CDSE under Sections 38-40.
* NDSA to revise and update draft frameworks for the CDSE Report to be more comprehensive and pragmatic.
* **Pre-Initial Filling Reservoir Plan:**
* Discussion and suggestions on Standard Operating Procedures for Pre-Initial Filling Plan under Section 27.
* The plan should be strengthened through incorporation of quantified parameters related to reservoir filling.
* **Risk Assessment Frameworks:**
* Framework Finalization for Level 2 (SQRA) and Level 3 (QRA) Risk Assessment under Section 35(2).
* An expert committee should be constituted to finalize the SQRA framework due to its national importance.
* **Construction/Rehabilitation Approvals:**
* Approval of Construction of New Dam Projects & Rehabilitation of Existing Dam Projects under Section 26.
* NDSA to deliberate extensively with all dam owners, incorporate their inputs, and place the matter for discussion in the next meeting.
* **Other Topics:**
* Financial Remuneration of Various Dam Safety National and International Experts.
* Clarification in definition of Under Construction Dam/Barrage Projects.
* Mechanism for Appraisal and Approval of Various Non-Structural Documents.
* Discussion on optimization of seismic instruments, with a decision to continue with existing NDSA regulations.
* Safety issue of Chandraprabha dam of Uttar Pradesh, with appreciation for the efforts to arrest seepage.
* **General Agreements:**
* Close and effective coordination between the Centre and the States is needed, with greater emphasis on comprehensive capacity-building.
* The mechanism for appraisal and approval of various non-structural documents was recommended to be undertaken by the respective State Dam Safety Organisations through the constitution of Expert Committees.
* Institutional framework should be further strengthened, the implementation of the Dam Safety Act should be expedited.
**Impact Analysis**
**Dam Owners**
* **Impact:** The discussions and forthcoming regulations directly affect dam owners' responsibilities and compliance requirements under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, particularly regarding CDSE, Pre-Initial Filling Plans, and approvals for new construction and rehabilitation.
* **Action Required:** Dam owners need to engage actively with NDSA, provide valuable inputs in the deliberation process, and prepare for potential changes in operational procedures and approval mechanisms.
**National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA)**
* **Impact:** NDSA is responsible for implementing the decisions made and ensuring the regulations are effectively communicated and enforced.
* **Action Required:** NDSA must revise and update draft frameworks for CDSE, deliberate extensively with all dam owners, constitute an expert committee for SQRA framework finalization, and coordinate closely with state authorities.
**State Dam Safety Organisations**
* **Impact:** The meeting outcomes impact the operations of State Dam Safety Organisations to undertake the mechanism for appraisal and approval of various non-structural documents.
* **Action Required:** Establish Expert Committees and begin the mechanism for appraisal and approval of various non-structural documents.
Key Entities Referenced
Dam Safety Act, 2021: Primary legislation governing dam safety in India, referenced throughout the meeting minutes.
National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): The central body for dam safety, responsible for policy and regulation recommendations. The document reports on its 11th meeting.
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): The executive authority responsible for implementing dam safety policies and regulations recommended by the NCDS.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: Union ministry under which the NCDS functions.
New Delhi: Location of the 11th NCDS meeting, indicating the central level applicability of the discussed policies.
Ministry of Jal Shakti
11th Meeting of the National Committee on Dam
Safety (NCDS) held in New Delhi
प्रव तथ: 20 JAN 2026 6:40PM by PIB Delhi
The 11th Meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was held on January 20, 2026, at Dr
Ambedkar International Centre, Janpath, New Delhi. The meeting was attended by representatives from
the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation; Central Water
Commission (CWC); National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA); Central Electricity Authority
(CEA); Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC); India Meteorological
Department (IMD); Geological Survey of India (GSI); National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC); and the
National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA). Officials from seven States—Assam, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Mizoram, Odisha, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh—also participated in the meeting. The deliberations were
further enriched by the presence of eminent dam safety experts, including Shri S. K. Sibal, Former
Member, Central Water Commission, and Dr Yogendra Singh, Professor, IIT Roorkee. Heads of twenty-
eight (28) State Dam Safety Organisations and representatives from three (3) Union Territories were also
present. The meeting was chaired by Shri Anupam Prasad, Chairman, Central Water Commission, and
Chairman, National Committee on Dam Safety.
The National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) is constituted under Section 5 of the Dam Safety Act,
2021. The functions of the Committee are laid down in the First Schedule of the Act. The NCDS functions
as a policy think tank for the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) and is responsible for deliberating
on dam safety–related policies and recommending such regulations as may be necessary to ensure uniform
standards of dam safety and to prevent disasters arising from dam failures.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman, NCDS highlighted the achievements of the NDSA over the past
four years. He drew attention to emerging challenges in the domain of dam safety, the extensive statutory
responsibilities placed upon dam owners under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, and the existing gaps in in-
house capacity building among dam-owning agencies. He also outlined various initiatives undertaken by
the NDSA to address these challenges. The Chairman emphasized that the successful implementation of
the Dam Safety Act hinges on effective cooperation among stakeholders, technical excellence, and
sustained collective commitment.
Major key Agenda were deliberated during the meeting, which included
i. Discussion & Suggestions on Standard Operating Procedure for carrying out Comprehensive Dam
Safety Evaluation (CDSE) under Section (38) to Section (40),
ii. Discussion & Suggestions on Standard Operating Procedure for Pre-Initial Filling Plan under
Section (27),
iii. Financial Remuneration of Various Dam Safety National and International Experts,
iv. Framework Finalization for Level 2 (SQRA) & Level 3 (QRA) Risk Assessment under Section
35(2),
v. Clarification in definition of Under Construction Dam/ Barrage Projects, (vi) Approval of
Construction of New Dam Projects & Rehabilitation of Existing Dam Projects under Section (26),vi. Mechanism for Appraisal and Approval of Various Non-Structural Documents,
vii. Discussion on optimisation of seismic instruments and
viii. Safety issue of Chandraprabha dam of Uttar Pradesh.
These Agenda related to CDSE, SQRA and QRA are new elements in dam safety for Indian dam owners.
The Committee deliberated in detail on the various proposed agenda items and offered valuable
suggestions. NDSA was advised to revise and update the proposed draft frameworks for the CDSE Report
to make them more comprehensive and pragmatic. The Committee further recommended that the Pre-
Initial Filling Reservoir Plan be strengthened through incorporation of quantified parameters related to
reservoir filling.
With regard to the finalisation of the SQRA framework, the Committee decided that, considering its
national importance, an expert committee should be constituted for the purpose. On the matter of approval
for construction of new dams and rehabilitation of existing dams, the Committee advised NDSA to
deliberate extensively with all dam owners, incorporate their valuable inputs, and place the matter for
discussion in the next meeting.
The mechanism for appraisal and approval of various non-structural documents was recommended to be
undertaken by the respective State Dam Safety Organisations through the constitution of Expert
Committees. The Committee also deliberated on the proposal to further optimise the number of seismic
instruments prescribed in the regulations and decided to continue with the existing regulations notified by
NDSA.
The Committee appreciated the efforts of the Government of Uttar Pradesh towards arresting seepage in
the Chandraprabha Dam.
The Committee reiterated the need for close and effective coordination between the Centre and the States,
with greater emphasis on the formulation and implementation of a comprehensive capacity-building action
plan to ensure statutory compliance with the various dam safety obligations prescribed under the Act. The
meeting concluded with a resolve to further strengthen the institutional framework, expedite the
implementation of the Dam Safety Act, and ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of dams,
thereby supporting water security, irrigation, power generation, and flood moderation objectives.***
ND
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