The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered nationwide civil defence mock drills across 244 districts on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. This unprecedented exercise, the first of its kind since 1971, aims to bolster India’s preparedness against potential hostile attacks amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which resulted in the loss of 26 lives .

• Air Raid Warning Systems: Testing the functionality and responsiveness of air raid sirens to ensure timely alerts during potential aerial threats.
• Communication Links: Activating hotlines and radio communication channels with the Indian Air Force to facilitate coordination during emergencies.
• Control Room Operations: Evaluating the performance of control rooms and shadow control rooms in managing crisis situations.
• Civilian Training: Providing training to civilians, including students, on self-protection measures, first aid, and evacuation protocols.
• Crash Blackout Measures: Implementing strategies to reduce visibility during potential airstrikes by conducting blackout drills in strategic locations.
• Camouflaging Vital Installations: Practicing early camouflaging of critical infrastructure to protect them from potential attacks.
• Evacuation Plans: Testing and refining evacuation procedures to ensure swift and organized movement of civilians during emergencies.

The exercise will involve active participation from district authorities, civil defence wardens, volunteers, Home Guards (both active and reserve), members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and students from schools and colleges .

This large-scale mobilisation underscores India’s commitment to reinforcing national readiness in the face of potential threats. The drills are a proactive measure to ensure that citizens, local administrations, and emergency services are well-prepared to respond effectively during hostile situations .

The decision to conduct these mock drills follows a series of high-level meetings by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack and to review the country’s civil defence preparedness in light of new and complex threats in the current geopolitical scenario .

Sources