Lessons unlearned
Stampedes at religious gatherings repeatedly expose gaps in India's crowd management protocols, emergency response systems, and accountability of local administration. This maps to GS II (governance, disaster management) and GS IV (administrative ethics, duty of care). The Hathras stampede (2024) and similar incidents make this a live policy issue for the exam.
Key facts
- A stampede at a temple in Kerala resulted in at least one death, highlighting recurring crowd management failures.
- India has witnessed several major stampede incidents at religious gatherings — Hathras (2024, 121 deaths), Indore (2023), Vaishno Devi (2022) among notable ones.
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued guidelines on crowd management but implementation remains weak.
- Key gaps include absence of real-time crowd density monitoring, poor entry-exit planning, and lack of trained crowd marshals.
- Disaster Management Act, 2005 mandates State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs) to prepare and enforce safety protocols for mass gatherings.
- Supreme Court has on multiple occasions directed states to implement crowd management guidelines at pilgrimage sites.
The recent stampede at a temple in Kerala, which resulted in the death of one person, is a stark reminder of the need for effective crowd management and control measures in India. ...
Concepts to know
The central legislation that provides the legal and institutional framework for disaster management in India. It established NDMA, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), and District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).
NDMA is the apex statutory body for disaster management in India, established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and is responsible for laying down policies, plans, and guidelines for disaster management.
State-level counterpart of NDMA chaired by the Chief Minister, responsible for implementing disaster management plans including crowd safety at state-level events.
An ethical and legal obligation on public authorities to take reasonable precautions to prevent foreseeable harm to citizens; its breach is central to accountability in stampede cases.
Guarantees protection of life and personal liberty. Courts have interpreted it broadly to include the right to live with dignity, which encompasses freedom from arbitrary detention of journalists and activists.
Linked previous-year questions
The UPSC questions this story connects to.
Consider the following statements: The Non-Cooperation Movement led to: 1. Congress becoming a mass movement for the first time 2. Growth of Hindu-Muslims unity 3. Removal of fear of the British might from the minds of the people 4. British government's willingness to grant political concessions to Indians Of these statements: (a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct (b) 2 and 3 are correct (c) 1 and 3 are correct (d) 3 and 4 are correct
- a.1, 2, 3 and 4 are correct
- b.2 and 3 are correct
- c.1 and 3 are correct ✓
- d.3 and 4 are correct
History · UPSC 1996In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as (a) pesticides in agriculture (b) preservatives in processed foods (c) fruit-ripening agents (d) moisturizing agents in cosmetics
- a.pesticides in agriculture ✓
- b.preservatives in processed foods
- c.fruit-ripening agents
- d.moisturizing agents in cosmetics
Environment · UPSC 2019Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: List–I List–II A. Morley Minto 1. Country-wise agitation B. Simon Commission 2. Withdrawal of a movement C. Chauri-Chaura incident 3. Communal electorates D. Dandi March 4. Communal outbreaks 5. Illegal manufactures of salt (a) A-3; B-4; C-5; D-2 (b) A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3 (c) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-5 (d) A-3; B-1; C-2; D-5
- a.A-3; B-4; C-5; D-2
- b.A-4; B-1; C-2; D-3
- c.A-2; B-3; C-4; D-5
- d.A-3; B-1; C-2; D-5 ✓
History · UPSC 1997What was the reason for Mahatma Gandhi to organise a satyagraha on behalf of the peasants of Kheda? 1. The Administration did not suspend the land revenue collection in spite of a drought. 2. The Administration proposed to introduce Permanent Settlement in Gujarat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- a.1 only ✓
- b.2 only
- c.Both 1 and 2
- d.Neither 1 nor 2
History · UPSC 2011With reference to the history of Ancient India, which of the following was/were common to both Buddhism and Jainism? 1. Avoidance of extremities of penance and enjoyment 2. Indifference to the authority of Vedas 3. Denial of the efficacy of rituals Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1,2 and 3
- a.1 only
- b.2 and 3 only ✓
- c.1 and 3 only
- d.1,2 and 3
History · UPSC 2012The Chinese traveller Yuan Chwang (Hiuen Tsang) who visited India recorded the general conditions and culture of India at that time. In this context, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The roads and river routes were completely immune from robbery. 2. As regards punishment for offenses, ordeals by fire, water and poison were the instruments for determining the innocence or guilt of a person. 3. The tradesmen had to pay duties at ferries and barrier stations. Select the correct answer using the codes given below. (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
- a.1 only
- b.2 and 3 only ✓
- c.1 and 3 only
- d.1, 2 and 3
History · UPSC 2013
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