After the brutal Pahalgam attack that took place on April 22, a civil defence mock drill in India has been ordered by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). Accordingly, the exercise will be conducted across 244 districts, especially vulnerable to threats, on Wednesday, May 7, in response to the current geo-political condition and to make the people ready for war-like emergencies. Thus, the nationwide mock drill will be a controlled exercise and not an actual threat.
Mock Drill in India
A civil defence mock drill is a training exercise to evaluate how both civilians and authorities respond during emergencies such as wars, missile strikes or aerial attacks. These drills simulate realistic situations, including the sounding of air raid sirens, city-wide blackouts and the implementation of sheltering protocols.
What is Expected During the Mock Drill in India
A nationwide mock drill to prepare for civil defence is scheduled in 244 categorised Civil Defence districts on May 7, 2025. State and union territory administrations have been directed to coordinate and manage the drill.
- Civil Defence wardens
- Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
- National Service Scheme (NSS)
- Local government authorities
- Home Guards
- Volunteers from the National Cadet Corps (NCC)
- School and college students
Here’s a list of all states and union territories, with their districts required to participate in this civil defence mock drill:
- Activation of sirens in selected urban centres and critical sites to simulate aerial threat alerts.
- Organisation of training sessions in community centres, schools and offices for an emergency response. It includes techniques like first aid, finding nearby shelters, drop-and-cover techniques and ways to remain calm during stress.
- Implementation of blackouts to mimic wartime blackout conditions and test preparedness for a night-time airstrike.
- Mock evacuations for practising movement to safe zones during attacks.
- Camouflaging important installations, including power plants, communication centres and military bases.
- Activation and assessment of hotline and radio links with the Indian Air Force.
- Evaluation of the readiness and efficiency of Civil Defence units, including warden services, depot management, firefighting teams and rescue squads.
- Cleaning of trenches and bunkers for usability.
- Assessment of the control rooms, including the shadow control rooms.
- Updation and rehearsal of the Civil Defence Plan.
- Potential temporary diversion of traffic in some cities.
How Does the Nationwide Mock Drill Help
The civil defence mock drill in India is not new. Such exercises have been conducted in the past, especially during the Cold War, when the nations implemented blackouts and evacuation drills to prepare their people for the potential nuclear attacks and air strikes.
Thus, such an exercise will prepare the people in India and help them understand their responsibilities and duties during a critical situation. Similarly, the response after the mock drill in India can help the authorities make improvements if required.
Instructions to Follow During the Mock Drill in India
- Avoid sharing unverified information or false rumours on social media.
- Follow the guidance provided by the local authorities and stay calm.
- Have basic necessities such as water, medications and flashlights at hand.
- Stay calm if there are brief disruptions in electricity or the internet.
- Tune into radio broadcasts or official government channels for accurate and up-to-date information.
Previous Civil Defence Mock Drill
Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab has already set an example. A 30-minute blackout drill was conducted at this high-alert region near the India-Pakistan border on Sunday evening, acting as an initial step towards the mock drill in India.
