India’s telecom sector, contributing ~15% to global GDP, faces rising disaster risks due to its vast infrastructure and geographic vulnerability.  

The CDRI-led study assesses multi-hazard resilience across mountains, plains, and coasts, using GIS mapping and stakeholder consultations. The Disaster Risk and Resilience Assessment Framework (DRRAF) integrates global best practices to guide infrastructure upgrades, policy reforms, and emergency planning.  

Key recommendations include intra-circle roaming awareness, HAPS deployment, SATCOM interoperability, and parametric insurance. India’s telecom landscape includes 1.2B subscribers, 814K towers, and 950M internet users. Vulnerabilities span power logistics, network congestion, and submarine cable delays. State-level initiatives and SOPs support emergency communication.  

A national roadmap proposes structural upgrades, community integration, and resilience indices to ensure continuity and rapid recovery during disasters.