National Centre For Seismology (NCS): Strengthening India’s Earthquake Preparedness Since 2014 – IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Rashmi Kumari

Introduction

India, located at the collision boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, is one of the most seismically active regions globally. Zones such as the Himalayan belt, the Indo-Gangetic plains, and parts of the Indian Peninsula are highly prone to earthquakes of varying magnitudes. In response to the growing need for advanced seismic monitoring and risk mitigation, the Government of India established the National Centre for Seismology (NCS) in 2014 under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). NCS was formed by integrating the earthquake monitoring services of the India Meteorological Department with advanced seismological research and hazard analysis.

The NCS is responsible for real-time 24/7 seismic monitoring, earthquake epicenter and magnitude determination, maintaining the National Earthquake Database, and conducting seismic hazard microzonation and risk assessment. It operates the National Seismological Network (NSN), comprising over 160 observatories equipped with broadband velocity sensors, strong motion accelerographs, and digital data acquisition systems. NCS provides real-time earthquake data from across India, detecting tremors as low as 2.5 magnitude in Delhi and up to 4.0 in border areas. Data from these observatories is transmitted in real-time to the NCS control center in New Delhi, enabling rapid earthquake location and timely dissemination of alerts.

Organizational Structure and Governance

The NCS operates as an attached office under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), GOI. It is governed by the Central Civil Services (CCS) rules, which regulate its staffing, recruitment, service conditions, and administrative procedures, in line with standard protocols followed by central government departments.

Organizational Structure

Mission 

To work towards creating a seismic resilient society.

Vision

Understanding the earthquake source processes and their effects through earthquake monitoring and seismological research for the cause of an earthquake-safe society.

Functioning 

The National Centre for Seismology is headquartered in New Delhi and operates through multiple wings and divisions. Its main functions include:

1. Earthquake Monitoring

NCS maintains the National Seismological Network (NSN), which consists of around 160 cutting-edge broadband seismic stations deployed across the country. These broadband stations utilize state-of-the-art sensors, telemetry, and communications systems to transfer real-time data to the monitoring hub in Delhi.

2. Data Analysis and Dissemination

The data is analyzed through both automated and manual systems. Initial information, information that includes epicenter, magnitude, depth, etc., of an earthquake, is disseminated through websites, mobile apps, and social media, as well as direct alerts to disaster management organizations within minutes of the incident.

3. Seismic Hazard Assessment

 NCS performs scientific research to delineate seismic hazard zones, estimate ground motion parameters, and provide scientific advice for earthquake-resistant building codes.

4. Tsunami Warning Support

The NCS also assists the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) regarding seismic events in the Indian Ocean that may create tsunamis by providing rapid earthquake parameters necessary for modeling tsunamis and issuing tsunami alerts.

5. Research and Development

The Centre conducts research on seismotectonics, crustal structure, seismic sources, and earthquake precursors, and collaborates with academic institutions and international agencies to do so.

6. Capacity Building and Public Awareness

NCS delivers workshops, awareness programs, and technical discussions with government departments, state disaster management authorities, and engineers, to build capacity for earthquake preparedness.

Performance & Achievements

1. National Seismological Network (NSN): Operates over 160 real-time observatories across India equipped with broadband velocity sensors, strong motion accelerographs, and digital data acquisition systems.

Image Source: https://riseq.seismo.gov.in/riseq/ob_network

2. Earthquake Detection Capabilities: Detects earthquakes with magnitudes as low as:

1. ≥2.5 in and around Delhi
2. ≥3.0 in the Northeast region
3. ≥3.5 in peninsular India
4. ≥4.0 in border areas

3. Rapid Information Dissemination: Earthquake location and magnitude are shared within 5–10 minutes using auto-location software at the 24×7 Earthquake Monitoring Centre in New Delhi.

4. India Quake Mobile App –BhooKamp (2017): Provides real-time alerts to citizens and disaster management agencies, enhancing transparency and preparedness.

5. Seismic Microzonation: Conducted for 30+ major cities to support earthquake-resilient urban planning and infrastructure design.

Image Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthquake_zones_of_India

6. Advanced Research Initiatives:

1. Deep Borehole Observatory
2. Studies on Indian Ocean Geoid Low
3. Crustal deformation analysis in tectonic zones like the Himalayas and the Sumatra Trench

7. International Collaboration: Partnered with ISC, GSN, and SAARC programs for data exchange and regional seismic hazard monitoring.

8. Public and Institutional Impact: Strengthened disaster response systems, reduced response time, informed urban planning, and empowered public awareness.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these significant contributions, NCS faces several challenges:

1. Remote Coverage: It remains a challenge to gain full seismic network coverage in remote and hilly terrain such as Northeast India and Himalayan areas, as they encompass rugged terrains and poor accessibility.
2. Infrastructure Maintenance: It often entails operating and includes a large network across differing climates and geography, affecting infrastructure management and function sustainability.
3. Increase Employment Trends: The demand for trained seismologists, engineers, and data analysts will increase across advanced systems and all future requirements.
4. Urban Coordination: Municipal policy implementation of seismic hazard data into mandated action is complex and requires significant coordination.
5. Lack of EEW: India lacks a fully functioning Earthquake Early Warning system, so citizens, directly compared to places like Japan and Mexico, experience little to no lead time on ground shaking.
6. Low Public Awareness: Citizens in India still lack an important base level of awareness and safety planning for basic earthquake safety, to planning programs without established training programs and ongoing awareness initiatives.

Way Forward

A few key directions for the way forward are:

1. Network Development: Enhance the number of seismic stations in seismically active regions such as Northeast India, the Himalayas, the Indo-Burmese Arc, and the Andaman-Nicobar Islands
2. Early Warning Networks: Install pilot Earthquake Early Warning (EEW) projects in cities along the major urban corridors
3. Advanced Research: Promote research in the areas of AI, earthquake precursors, and induced seismicity
4. Public Awareness: Conduct more public awareness campaigns and local earthquake drills
5. Policy Support: Advocate for the strict implementation of seismic codes and retrofitting as part of urban development
6. Technology Upgrades: Upgrade telemetric technology, cloud data, and real-time AI-based event detection of earthquakes
7. Regional Cooperation: Work with neighbouring countries to share data and carry out joint regional hazard assessments

Conclusion

The National Centre for Seismology has become the center of gravity for India’s earthquake risk management strategy. By enhancing seismic monitoring, communication of information, assessing hazards, and the ability to engage the public, it is safe to say that they have improved national preparedness for disaster. However, there are conditions changing rapidly in India with urbanization and infrastructure expansion in areas of seismic risk, which call for an evolving National Centre for Seismology in the future.

Using a proactive approach that integrates science, technology, policy, and public engagement will enable the NCS to protect millions of lives and livelihoods from the continuous threat of earthquakes. With ongoing operational funding and active public participation, the National Centre for Seismology will confidently protect current populations and ensure expansion will mitigate the risks of seismic disasters to future generations.

References:

1. National Centre for Seismology. (n.d.). National Seismological Network (NSN) – Recent Developments. Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences. https://seismo.gov.in/sites/default/files/publication/recent_publication/2.0APP%20%202021_SRL_NSN.pdf
2. National Centre for Seismology. (n.d.). About National Centre for Seismology. Government of India, Ministry of Earth Sciences. https://seismo.gov.in/about-national-center-seismology
3. Wikipedia contributors. (2024, December 5). National Centre for Seismology. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Centre_for_Seismology
4. The Print. (2024, March 25). Mapping earth’s heartbeat every second: A day at National Centre for Seismology. The Print. https://theprint.in/feature/around-town/mapping-earths-heartbeat-every-second-a-day-at-national-centre-for-seismology/1830262/
5. Malayala Manorama. (2021, July 24). 35 new seismological observatories by December 2021. Manorama Yearbook. https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/india/2021/07/24/35-new-seismological-observatories-by-december-2021.html
6. Malayala Manorama. (2020, April 13). Explainer: Monitoring of earthquakes. Manorama Yearbook. https://www.manoramayearbook.in/current-affairs/india/2020/04/13/explainer-monitoring-of-earthquakes.html
7. Odishatv Bureau. (2025, March 1). 159 earthquakes from Nov 2024 to February 2025; 59% India earthquake-prone. OTV News. https://odishatv.in/news/national/159-earthquakes-from-nov-2024-to-february-2025-59-pc-india-earthquake-prone-258458

 About the contributor: Rashmi Kumari is a Research Intern at IMPRI and a Master’s student in Economics at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics, Pune.

Acknowledgement: The author extends her sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team and Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance throughout the process.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.

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