In a bold move to strengthen national preparedness, the Indian government will conduct a countrywide civil defence mock drill on May 7, aimed at testing civilian and infrastructure readiness for emergency scenarios, including wartime conditions. The announcement comes just two weeks after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley on April 22, which left 26 tourists dead and reignited security concerns along the India-Pakistan border.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued detailed instructions to all state governments, urging full-scale participation in what will be one of the largest civilian readiness exercises in modern Indian history. This is the first such national-level mock drill since the 1971 Indo-Pak war, when similar drills were carried out to prepare the population for external threats during the Bangladesh Liberation conflict.
On May 7, air raid sirens will sound across 244 towns and districts, simulating potential threats such as missile strikes, aerial bombings, and total blackouts. The operation will include evacuation exercises from high-risk zones, camouflage measures at key facilities like power stations and communication centers, and hands-on training for civilians on how to respond in a real attack scenario.
The MHA’s advisory classifies the participating areas into three categories based on strategic importance and vulnerability:
- Category 1: 13 key towns/districts
- Category 2: 201 towns/districts
- Category 3: 45 towns/districts
Participants will include Civil Defence forces, Home Guards, NCC cadets, school and college students, and volunteers. Institutions such as schools, offices, and community centers will organize workshops to teach life-saving skills like first aid, emergency sheltering, and safe response techniques.
The drill aims to check five major capabilities:
- Functionality of public warning systems like sirens
- Mass training of citizens for wartime behavior
- Execution of blackout protocols in urban areas
- Rapid camouflage of vital infrastructure
- Effective execution of evacuation plans
The Ministry has emphasized that public involvement is crucial, especially among youth and non-military citizens. The goal is to build a culture of awareness and self-reliance during high-risk situations.
Officials also see the May 7 drill as symbolically linked to India’s historical legacy of civil defence, reviving memories of a time when national unity and readiness were vital during conflict. With current regional tensions again on the rise, this nationwide drill is seen as both a precautionary measure and a signal of strength.
