The Union Government has scheduled a nationwide civil defence mock drill on May 7, to be conducted across selected districts in states and Union Territories (UTs). This large-scale exercise comes in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
The drill will be held across 244 officially designated Civil Defence districts in 9 states and UTs. The exact locations have been left to local administrations to decide. The last such exercise of this scale was conducted in 1971, prior to the India-Pakistan war.
A high-level coordination meeting led by Home Secretary Govind Mohan in New Delhi saw participation from Chief Secretaries and Civil Defence Chiefs of various states. The meeting focused on readiness across all districts notified under the 2010 Civil Defence framework.
What Will Happen on May 7?
Citizens across these Civil Defence districts may witness:
Air Raid Sirens: Warning signals to simulate aerial threat response.
Crash Blackouts: Lights switched off to mimic night-time airstrike scenarios.
Camouflage Exercises: Concealing key infrastructure from aerial surveillance.
Evacuation Drills: Simulated relocations from high-risk to safe zones.
Civilian Training: Workshops in schools, colleges, and public centers on emergency preparedness, first aid, and staying calm under pressure.
Participants will include Civil Defence wardens, Home Guards, NCC, NSS, NYKS volunteers, and students. These drills are part of a controlled exercise—not actual emergencies.
How Major Cities Are Preparing
Delhi: Education Minister Ashish Sood confirmed that the city is fully prepared. The Delhi government is finalising drill locations.
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: The Police, Fire Services, and Civil Defence rehearsed in advance. DGP Prashant Kumar said 19 districts in UP will participate, with some categorised based on sensitivity.
Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir: Police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted a mock rescue operation in Dal Lake, simulating boat capsizing emergencies.
Punjab: Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said drills will be held in 20 districts, with special attention to the 500 km border.
Cold War-Era Tactics Reimagined
The drills revive Cold War-era civil defence strategies, originally designed to prepare for nuclear or air raids. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) clarified that this is not an indication of impending war but part of a longstanding preparedness framework under the Civil Defence Rules, 1968.
What Are Civil Defence Districts?
Civil Defence districts are designated areas for emergency preparedness, especially in wartime or large-scale terror situations. Their roles include:
Training and mobilising volunteers.
Conducting evacuation and blackout drills.
Coordinating among civilian and security agencies.
Managing shelters and public awareness campaigns.
Why Now?
While such drills have long existed on paper, the Pahalgam terror attack and growing regional tensions have prompted the Centre to activate preparedness protocols at scale. The goal is to build resilience, strengthen response times, and familiarise the public with emergency protocols—without creating panic.
