The Dam Safety Act, 2021 provides for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams to prevent dam failure-related disasters and establishes an institutional mechanism for their safe functioning. It applies to owners of every specified dam, whether public or private.

The NDSA is established under Section 8 of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. Its responsibilities include implementing policies, resolving inter-state issues, and regulating dam safety standards throughout India.

Mandatory inspections include Pre-monsoon inspection, Post-monsoon inspection, and inspections after major floods, earthquakes, or other emergencies.

Each dam owner must establish a DSU responsible for routine surveillance, inspections, maintenance, and emergency action planning.

It includes unusual seepage, structural damage, malfunctioning gates, unusual erosion downstream, and excessive floods affecting freeboard levels.

Each dam must maintain a digital logbook or database including dam name, inspection records, monitoring data, incident logs, and officer contact details.

Dam construction must follow BIS Codes like IS 14690 for Earth and Rockfill Dams and IS 457 for Concrete Dams. In the absence of BIS codes, international standards like ICOLD Bulletins must be used.

Each dam must be equipped with instruments like Piezometers, Inclinometers, Uplift pressure meters, and Seepage monitoring instruments.

Inspections must be conducted using structured checklists, accompanied by high-resolution photographs, and uploaded on DAM Health and Rehabilitation Monitoring Application (DHARMA).

Dam owners who fail to comply with the Act are liable for penalties, including fines.