Uttar Pradesh Constitutes Civil Defence Corps in Multiple Districts, Empowers District Magistrates

The Governor of Uttar Pradesh issued a notification on May 29, 2025, constituting Civil Defence Corps in numerous districts across the state. This notification, numbered 471/2025-LXXXIII-1099-78-2022, was issued in exercise of powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Civil Defence Act, 1968 (Act no. 27 of 1968). The measure establishes a structured body of persons dedicated to civil defence in districts including Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, Auraiya, Unnao, Bahraich, Barabanki, Ballia, Bijnor, Badaun, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Etawah, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Amroha, Kasganj, Kanpur Dehat, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghazipur, Hapur, Hamirpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lalitpur, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Maharajganj, Mau, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Rampur, Rae Bareli, Sambhal, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Shamli, Sitapur, Shravasti, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, Siddharthnagar and Balrampur. Concurrently, the District Magistrates of these respective districts have been appointed as the Controllers, tasked with commanding these newly formed Corps. The notification also explicitly authorizes these District Magistrates to exercise powers under Sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, and sub-rule (1) of rule 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968. The notification came into force upon its publication in the Official Gazette on May 29, 2025.

This legislative action aims to bolster the state's preparedness and response capabilities in the face of potential emergencies or civil defence exigencies. The policy rationale behind this notification is to operationalize and strengthen the framework established by the Civil Defence Act, 1968, which provides for measures for the protection of persons, property, and places from hostile attacks and for mitigating their effects, or for dealing with natural disasters. By constituting dedicated Civil Defence Corps and appointing District Magistrates as their controllers, the government seeks to ensure a localized and effective command structure for civil defence operations. The earlier legal position, while providing for civil defence, required specific executive action to establish and empower these local units. This notification addresses any potential gaps in the operationalization of civil defence mechanisms at the district level by formally establishing these corps and delegating specific powers to the District Magistrates. The legislation provided: “In exercise of the powers under sub-section (1) of Section 4 of the Civil Defence Act, 1968 (Act no. 27 of 1968), the Governor is pleased to constitute for the districts of the State viz-Ambedkar Nagar, Amethi, Auraiya, Unnao, Bahraich, Barabanki, Ballia, Bijnor, Badaun, Chitrakoot, Deoria, Etawah, Fatehpur, Hardoi, Hathras, Jalaun, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Amroha, Kasganj, Kanpur Dehat, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghazipur, Hapur, Hamirpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Lalitpur, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Mahoba, Mainpuri, Maharajganj, Mau, Pilibhit, Pratapgarh, Rampur, Rae Bareli, Sambhal, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Sant Kabir Nagar, Shahjahanpur, Shamli, Sitapur, Shravasti, Sonbhadra, Sultanpur, Siddharthnagar and Balrampur a body of persons to be called Civil Defence Corps, of the respective districts and to appoint the District Magistrate of the respective districts as the Controller to command the said Corps.” This measure ensures that a clear chain of command and operational authority is in place, enabling swift and coordinated action during crises. The authorization granted to District Magistrates under Section 4(1) of the Civil Defence Act, 1968, and Rule 19(1) of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, empowers them to recruit, train, and deploy civil defence volunteers and resources effectively within their jurisdiction, thereby enhancing local resilience and response capabilities.

Keywords: Civil Defence Act, 1968, Civil Defence Corps, Uttar Pradesh, District Magistrate, Notification, Emergency Preparedness, Disaster Management, State Government Geo Tags: India, Uttar Pradesh District: Not Applicable