India Gears Up for Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drills on May 7 Amid Rising Tensions
New Delhi, May 6, 2025 – In a significant move to bolster national preparedness, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed all states and union territories to conduct civil defence mock drills on May 7, 2025, across 244 districts. This marks the first such large-scale exercise since the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, reflecting India’s heightened focus on emergency readiness amid escalating tensions with Pakistan following the deadly Pahalgam attack last month.
The drills, which aim to simulate responses to potential hostile attacks, will involve a range of activities including the operationalization of air raid warning sirens, blackout exercises, evacuation rehearsals, and the camouflaging of critical infrastructure. Civilians, students, and volunteers will also undergo training to equip them with essential skills for self-protection during emergencies such as aerial strikes. The initiative will see coordination between local authorities, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and approximately 4 lakh volunteers associated with the Directorate General of Civil Defence under the MHA.
The categorized districts span 36 states and union territories, identified under a 2009 MHA scheme that marked 100 districts as multi-hazard prone. This scheme, launched with a budget of ₹100 crore, aimed to revamp India’s civil defence infrastructure by establishing new training institutes and mobilizing volunteers for disaster management and internal security tasks. The current exercise builds on that framework, with states tasked to activate control rooms, firefighting units, and warden services, alongside cleaning bunkers and trenches, particularly in border areas like Jammu and Kashmir.
The timing of the drills is significant, coming on the heels of the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, where 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national were killed. India has pointed fingers at Pakistan for supporting the militants responsible, a claim Islamabad denies. The attack has led to a sharp deterioration in India-Pakistan relations, with New Delhi suspending its participation in the Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic ties. Pakistan has warned that any move to divert its water share would be considered an act of war, further raising the stakes in the region.
Adding to the tension, India’s navy recently conducted test missile strikes in a show of strength, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to pursue the attackers “to the ends of the earth.” The United Nations has urged both nations to exercise “maximum restraint” as fears of military escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors grow. The Pahalgam attack, initially claimed by a militant group called The Resistance Front (TRF) before they retracted the statement, has shattered the narrative of declining militancy in Kashmir since the revocation of its autonomy in 2019.
Government sources emphasize that the mock drills are part of a broader strategy to ensure India is prepared for any eventuality. A senior official stated, “The goal is to mobilize maximum participation, including school and college students, National Cadet Corps (NCC) members, and volunteers from Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), to make this a truly nationwide effort.” The drills, expected to continue until May 9 in some areas, will also involve the Indian Air Force through hotline coordination to simulate real-time emergency scenarios.
This initiative underscores the lessons India has drawn from past conflicts, notably the 1971 war, which led to the creation of Bangladesh and left a lasting impact on the nation’s defence psyche. That conflict, which saw India decisively defeat Pakistan, highlighted the importance of preparedness—a lesson that resonates today as India navigates a volatile geopolitical landscape.
As the country braces for these drills, the message is clear: India is not just preparing for peace but also for any emergency that may arise. Citizens across the 244 districts are encouraged to participate actively, ensuring that the nation is ready to act, not just react, in the face of potential threats.
Views Now News Portal
Published: May 6, 2025,
Published: May 6, 2025,
