12th Meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) held in New Delhi

The National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) held its 12th meeting in New Delhi to discuss the implementation of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. The committee agreed to work on a new regulation for surveillance and security of specified dams and deliberated on recent dam failures. It also decided to explore engagement of regional institutions for capacity strengthening of dam owners.

Source

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Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01The 12th Meeting of the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) was held on July 17, 2026.
02The meeting was attended by official members from ten central ministries/departments and seven States.
03The Chairman, NCDS highlighted the significant progress made in implementing the Dam Safety Act, 2021 through notification of regulations and issuance of technical guidelines.
04A new regulation on surveillance and security of specified dams is to be worked on by the Committee.
05Comprehensive dam safety evaluation, preparation of emergency action plans, and risk assessment study are mandatory compliances for specified dams within December 2026.
06The meeting also deliberated on addressing emerging challenges related to reservoir sedimentation and dam surveillance and security.
07Detailed technical presentations were made before the Committee on recent dam failures by concerned dam owners.

Trap alerts

Most people think that the National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS) is a regulatory body, but actually it is an advisory committee.
Most people think that the Dam Safety Act, 2021 has been fully implemented, but actually significant progress has been made in implementing the Act through notification of regulations and issuance of technical guidelines.
Most people think that reservoir sedimentation is not a major concern for dam safety, but actually it was highlighted as an emerging challenge by the Chairman, NCDS.

Current-affairs link

The Dam Safety Act, 2021, which aims to ensure the safety of dams across India and prevent dam failures, was enacted in 2021.

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

The Dam Safety Act of which year was implemented through the notification of regulations and issuance of technical guidelines?

A.2020
B.2019
C.2022
D.2018

The Dam Safety Act of 2021 was implemented through the notification of regulations and issuance of technical guidelines. The act aims to ensure the safety of dams in India.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS): 1. The NCDS is chaired by the Minister of Jal Shakti. 2. The NCDS has agreed to work on a new regulation for surveillance and security of specified dams. 3. The NCDS meeting was attended by all State Chief Ministers. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement 1 is incorrect because the NCDS is chaired by the Chairman of Central Water Commission (fact #2). Statement 2 is correct as per fact #4. Statement 3 is incorrect because the meeting was attended by official members of ten central ministries/departments and seven States, but it does not mention all State Chief Ministers.

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