Environment & Ecology GS 3 In the news 3 times

Dam Safety Act, 2021

The Dam Safety Act, 2021 (Act No. 41 of 2021) is India's first dedicated central legislation for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of "specified dams" (generally over 15 m in height, or 10-15 m meeting specified technical criteria), aimed at ensuring uniform dam-safety standards nationally. It came into force on 30 December 2021 and created a layered institutional structure spanning the Centre and states.

Key details

Enacted: notified 14 December 2021; provisions in force from 30 December 2021
Key bodies created: National Committee on Dam Safety (NCDS, policy-setting), National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA, regulatory), and State Committees/Organisations on Dam Safety
Specified dam threshold: height greater than 15 m, or 10-15 m with additional design/reservoir-capacity criteria
The Act mandates periodic inspection, emergency action plans, and hazard classification for covered dams

In the news

● Tracked since June 25, 2026 · last seen September 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes

17 Sep '26

Six states sign Kishau water agreement, but experts question dam’s risks and utility

Geography

08 Sep '26

Nepal floods raise warning for Himalaya as expert calls for urgent review of disaster policy and dam safety

Environment & Ecology

25 Jun '26

Centre asks Kerala to nominate new expert for Mullaperiyar dam safety panel

Polity & Governance

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