India faces natural disaster risks like earthquakes (affecting 59% of land), floods (impacting 12%), cyclones, and droughts (threatening 68% of cultivable land), along with man-made crises like accidents, fires, CBRN emergencies, etc. To address this need, the Disaster Management Act was passed in 2005 in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, establishing a system under the leadership of the Prime Minister, encompassing the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state-level offices. This legislation prioritizes disaster prevention, mitigation, and introduces the NDMF to fund prevention efforts, ensuring comprehensive disaster management and risk reduction in the country. The Disaster Management Act of 2005 is a cornerstone of disaster management in India and serves as a model for state-level legislation. While it has made significant contributions to disaster management, there are opportunities for improvement, particularly in empowering local communities and integrating disaster management with development efforts which are explored in this chapter.