The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, has been awarded the prestigious Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar for 2025 in the Institutional Category. Recognized for its exemplary contributions to disaster management, INCOIS has played a vital role in enhancing India’s disaster preparedness and response mechanisms.
Instituted by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar is awarded annually to honor individuals and organizations making significant contributions in disaster management. Announced on January 23, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary, the award carries a cash prize of ₹51 lakh and a certificate for institutions, and ₹5 lakh with a certificate for individuals.
India has witnessed remarkable advancements in disaster management practices, significantly reducing casualties during natural calamities. The award process for 2025 began on July 1, 2024, with widespread publicity, drawing 297 nominations from across the country.
Established in 1999 in Hyderabad, Telangana, INCOIS is a cornerstone of India’s ocean-related disaster management strategies. It operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), which can issue tsunami alerts within 10 minutes, serving both India and 28 Indian Ocean countries. UNESCO has recognized it as a leading Tsunami Service Provider globally.
INCOIS’s expertise extends to forecasting high waves, cyclones, and storm surges, safeguarding coastal areas and maritime activities. Its contributions during Cyclones Phailin (2013) and Hudhud (2014) provided critical advisories, enabling timely evacuations and reducing risks to coastal populations.
The organization has also developed innovative tools like the Search and Rescue Aided Tool (SARAT), which supports the Indian Coast Guard, Navy, and Coastal Security Police in locating individuals or objects lost at sea. Additionally, its SynOPS visualization platform integrates real-time data to enhance coordination during extreme events.
