Certificate Programme in Disaster Management (6 months)

Eligibility

 

 

A Bachelor’s Degree (under 10+2+3 or 10+2+4 or 10+2+2+1 year bridge course pattern of study or any other pattern fulfilling the mandatory requirements of 15 years of formal education), in any discipline from a recognized university, with minimum aggregate marks of 50 per cent (40 percent for Scheduled Castes [SCs] and Scheduled Tribes [STs])

 

Candidates with demonstrated interest in working with people in disaster situation for a minimum of one year would be preferred. Sponsored candidates from organizations working in the area of disasters would be given special preference.

 

There are a total of 10 seats available in the programme, including and observing the reservation norms {Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Persons with Disability (PWD)} of the GOI and International students/ children of Indian workers in the Gulf and in South-East Asia. The reservation for OBC will be followed as per GoI directives.

 

Description

CLICK HERE TO APPLY

 

 Intake : 10 (Including GOI Reservation)

 

 IMPORTANT DATES

 

Academic Calendar 2026-27

Last Date of submission of application form (Online)	15th May, 2026
Interview (Online)	21st May, 2026
Announcement of selection on TISS website	12th June, 2026
Last Day for Fee Payment	-----
Date of Commencement of program	As per the CUET 2026 Dates

 

Introduction and Background

Disaster management is emerging globally as a field of study that deals with a range of risks and vulnerabilities that societies, nations, and communities have to understand and learn to cope with. The expansion of the scope of the term disaster beyond its original definition, referring solely to natural hazards, has generated debates and discussions around the way cultures and societies understand the notion of a disaster. Vulnerabilities of the poor and marginalized have come to be recognized as the key to understanding the disproportionate impact of disasters in the developing world. Thus, JTSDS adopts a perspective where disaster risk reduction, especially in developing societies, is understood as an integral part of development, especially in the context of climate change.  Disaster risk reduction, disaster response and post-disaster recovery also need to be examined from the standpoint of social and environmental justice, equity and social inclusion. Disaster studies, as an evolving discipline, provides extensive scope for research and exploration of its diverse facets. Though disaster management began largely as a field of study in the practitioner’s domain, disaster studies is now a discipline that combines theoretical perspectives and understanding with a range of skills and techniques that have become increasingly sophisticated.

Jamsetji Tata School of Disaster Studies launched a Master’s programe in Disaster Management 17 years ago, focusing on understanding disasters from the vantage point of science and technology in prevention, prediction, mitigation and response. The Master’s programe fosters a critical appreciation of current approaches to development, disaster risk reduction, response and recovery. The school's experience in offering the online IFRC-TISS Certificate in Disaster Management for over ten years indicates that the need for an academic orientation of field-based staff is essential globally and helpful for working professionals to expand their profile. Considering this, the Certificate in Disaster Management will provide a crucial academic platform for professionals and young graduates to gain the fundamental knowledge on disaster management and climate change action. The certificate will be helpful for students interested in exploring this sector and can be used by professionals already working in the allied sector to strengthen their academic grounding. The program flows from foundation, core, elective and skill-based courses offering a interdisciplinary thrust. It endeavors to cultivate appropriate values, a strong multidisciplinary knowledge base, and skills essential for research and intervention in disasters. Students will have the opportunity to develop specialized expertise in areas of their choice. As an emerging field, the need for qualified personnel within disaster management and disaster studies is high. Students who graduate with this degree will find opportunities in the disaster risk reduction and disaster management programs of the developmental sectors, in government and non-government organisations, and consultancy firms. They could also pursue research, training and teaching careers in disaster studies and allied disciplines.

Program Rationale and Context

The global environmental change crises and problems such as climate change related extreme events, increasing disasters, environmental degradation, and social inequity, have disproportionately soared in recent decades. The economic and social implications of these unprecedented hazard intensities and consequences have given rise to a common and urgent need to reflect, anticipate, and intervene for societal change, especially towards achieving sustainability in multiple disciplinary circles. Recognizing the need for comprehensive societal change, 2015 saw a major breakthrough in the global policy arena with three path breaking global agreements for a sustainable and prosperous society, resilient to socio-economic and environmental disasters. These include the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-30 (United Nations General Assembly [UNGA], 2015), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (United Nations [UN], 2015), and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 2015). The Certificate in Disaster Management, gains more significance especially in a context of renewed commitment to sustainability at the national and global scale. 

 

Semesterwise Courses:

 

Listing of Courses

 

Semester	Course Category	Course Code	Course Title	Credits
I	Core Courses	CEDM001	Framing Disasters: Vulnerability, Risk, Resilience and Development	3
	Core Courses	CEDM002	Earth System Sciences and Ecosystem Perspectives  into Disasters	3
	Core Courses	CEDM003	Humanitarian Praxis in Disaster and Climate Context	3
	Core Courses	CEDM004	Policy and Institutions for DRR and Climate Change	3
	Core Courses	CEDM005	Research Methodology and Ethics for Disaster Management	3
	Indian Knowledge System	CEDM006	Indian Knowledge System and Disasters	2
	Skill Enhancement Course	CEDM007	Fundamentals of Geospatial Science and Technologies for Disaster Management	3
	Value-Added Courses		Experiential Learning Lab : Practice and Perspectives I (Non-Credited Compulsory)	NA
TOTAL CREDITS				20

Fee Structure:

 

FEES STRUCTURE

 

	Components	Semester I
FEES	Tuition Fee	17,600
	Examination Fees	1,100
CHARGES	Field Education/Internship/Experiential Learning Charges	1,650
	IT Charges	2,200
	Library Charges	1,650
	Other Charges (ID Card, Convocation & Misc.)	2,750
FUNDS	Students Competency Fund	3,850
	Lab/Studio Fund	1,650
	Development Fund	5,500
	Students’ Wellness & Welfare Fund	550
	Alumni Fund	550
	Health Care Fund	1,100
DEPOSITS	Caution Deposit (Refundable at the time of exit from programme on submission of No Dues Certificate	11,000
Semester Course Fees		51,150

 

Hostel and Dining Hall Charges:

OTHERS  CHARGES	Dining Hall (Advance) Charges	20,000
	Hostel & Electricity Charges	18,000
Total Charges		38,000

 

Notes: 

• Institute reserves the right to revise the Fee Structure of programmes if necessary.

 

• Expenses related to Practicum / Study tour / Urban field work/ Winter Institute, if any, will have to be met by the students themselves at the time of the activity.