The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, has received the prestigious Subhas Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Award for 2025 in the institutional category. Acknowledged for its outstanding contributions to disaster management, INCOIS has strengthened India’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities.

The Subhash Chandra Bose Aapda Prabandhan Puraskar, established by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is an annual honour recognising exceptional contributions in the field of disaster management. Announced on January 23, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the award includes a cash prize of ₹51 lakh and a certificate for institutions and ₹5 lakh with a certificate for individuals.

India has made significant progress in disaster management, leading to a notable reduction in casualties during natural disasters. For the 2025 edition, the nomination process began on July 1, 2024, with extensive outreach efforts, resulting in 297 applications nationwide.

Established in 1999 in Hyderabad, Telangana, INCOIS has become a cornerstone of India’s ocean disaster management efforts. The organisation operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC), capable of issuing tsunami alerts within 10 minutes of detection. This service benefits India and 28 other countries in the Indian Ocean region. The centre has also earned global recognition, with UNESCO identifying it as one of the leading Tsunami Service Providers worldwide.

INCOIS is highly skilled in predicting high waves, cyclones, and storm surges, playing a vital role in protecting coastal regions and ensuring maritime safety. During Cyclones Phailin in 2013 and Hudhud in 2014, the organisation provided crucial advisories that facilitated timely evacuations, significantly minimising risks to coastal people.

The institution has also pioneered tools like the Search and Rescue Aided Tool (SARAT), which assists the Indian Coast Guard, Navy and Coastal Security Police locate missing individuals or objects at sea. Furthermore, its SynOPS visualisation platform combines real-time data to improve coordination during severe weather events and emergencies.