¨     The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar 2026 was conferred on the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority in the Institutional Category and Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke in the Individual Category.

¨     The award has been instituted by the Government of India to recognise exceptional contribution and selfless service in the field of disaster management.
¨     The annual award is announced every year on 23 January, marking the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.
¨     Lieutenant Colonel Seeta Ashok Shelke led major Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations during the 2024 floods and landslides in Wayanad, Kerala.
¨     She supervised high-risk rescue missions, coordinated with civil authorities, and enabled rapid evacuation and restoration of essential services.
¨     The construction of a 190-foot Bailey Bridge at Chooralmala was completed under her leadership to restore connectivity to remote villages.
¨     During severe disasters such as the 2016 Mantam landslide and the 2023 Teesta floods, SSDMA's real-time coordination and trained first responders helped rescue 2,563 people and minimized loss of life and property.
¨     The Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority was recognised for building a community-centred disaster risk reduction model through trained Aapda Mitras across all districts.
¨     In 2005, the Sikkim State Disaster Management Authority (SSDMA) was established.