A drought year is defined by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) as a year in which, the overall rainfall deficiency is more than 10% of the Long Period Average value (LPA) value and if more than 20% of its area is affected by drought conditions, either moderate or severe or combined moderate and severe.

When the spatial coverage of drought is more than 40% it will be called as All India Severe Drought Year.

For more details on defining Agricultural drought in India, please see the concept - Drought.