A nationwide mock drill will be held across 244 districts in India tomorrow, May 7. The exercise, aimed at improving national security preparedness, will test first-response capabilities in emergencies like air raids, blackouts, and other disaster scenarios. The drill comes amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April. These exercises will be the first of their kind in India since 1971, marking a significant step in civil defence training.
What to expect from the mock drills?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed that mock drills be carried out in 244 Civil Defence Districts across the country, covering states with high security risks. These regions include border states like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and areas in the Northeast. The drill will prepare citizens for critical scenarios, such as air raid sirens and blackouts, and improve civil defence systems’ response to new and complex threats. Authorities are urging citizens to keep essential supplies like medical kits, torches, candles, and cash in preparation.
The exercise’s importance is underscored by the rising political tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead. The Indian government has vowed strong action against the perpetrators, while Pakistan has responded with threats of retaliation. Amid these heightened tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held high-level security meetings to discuss India's response.
Also Read: Mock drill in India: What will happen during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions?
Where all will the mock drills take place
The mock drill will span from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to smaller towns across the nation. Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Civil Defence Ministry have been working together to assess the readiness of civil defence systems in each district. Key actions will include testing air raid warning systems, rehearsing evacuation plans, and ensuring that control rooms, including shadow control rooms, are functional.
“New and complex threats have emerged in the current geo-political scenario, and it is essential that civil defence systems are ready at all times,” said a statement from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards. The drills will also train civilians in vital emergency actions, like responding to air raids and power outages.
Also Read: Delhi and Lucknow conduct emergency drills ahead of nationwide civil defence mock drill exercise on May 7
Mock Drills: Full list of participating districts
The list of districts to participate in tomorrow’s nationwide exercise includes several high-priority areas across India. Here’s a brief overview of the locations:
Also Read: From Dal Lake to Marine Drive: How Indian cities are bracing for tomorrow's air raids, blackouts, and evacuation mock drills
The civil defence system
India’s civil defence system relies heavily on volunteers who support local authorities in tasks like crowd control, traffic management, and disaster relief. In normal times, the force is supported by a small cadre of paid personnel, but during emergencies, volunteers play a crucial role. Civil defence measures, particularly in sensitive border regions, are essential to national security, which is why such drills are critical for maintaining readiness.
In addition to testing response measures, the drills will help identify any gaps in civil defence infrastructure. Following a review meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on May 5, officials confirmed that the focus will be on improving and fixing any operational issues before the drills take place.
Officials have urged citizens to be ready and stay alert. In the event of an emergency, they’ve been advised to stock up on medical supplies, food, and essentials. This proactive approach will ensure that, should the worst happen, the public is prepared to handle any situation. Mock drills at the grassroots level will be a part of this process, helping local populations become more familiar with the procedures they should follow during an emergency.
As the geopolitical climate remains tense, these exercises are not just precautionary but a necessary step in ensuring the nation’s preparedness for potential threats.
Also Read: Inside India's mock security drill on May 7: How towns prepare for air raids with blackouts
What to expect from the mock drills?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has directed that mock drills be carried out in 244 Civil Defence Districts across the country, covering states with high security risks. These regions include border states like Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, and areas in the Northeast. The drill will prepare citizens for critical scenarios, such as air raid sirens and blackouts, and improve civil defence systems’ response to new and complex threats. Authorities are urging citizens to keep essential supplies like medical kits, torches, candles, and cash in preparation.
The exercise’s importance is underscored by the rising political tensions following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead. The Indian government has vowed strong action against the perpetrators, while Pakistan has responded with threats of retaliation. Amid these heightened tensions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held high-level security meetings to discuss India's response.
Also Read: Mock drill in India: What will happen during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions?
Where all will the mock drills take place
The mock drill will span from major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to smaller towns across the nation. Officials from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Civil Defence Ministry have been working together to assess the readiness of civil defence systems in each district. Key actions will include testing air raid warning systems, rehearsing evacuation plans, and ensuring that control rooms, including shadow control rooms, are functional.
“New and complex threats have emerged in the current geo-political scenario, and it is essential that civil defence systems are ready at all times,” said a statement from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards. The drills will also train civilians in vital emergency actions, like responding to air raids and power outages.
Also Read: Delhi and Lucknow conduct emergency drills ahead of nationwide civil defence mock drill exercise on May 7
Mock Drills: Full list of participating districts
The list of districts to participate in tomorrow’s nationwide exercise includes several high-priority areas across India. Here’s a brief overview of the locations:
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands: Port Blair
- Andhra Pradesh: Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam
- Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar, Tawang
- Assam: Guwahati, Jorhat, Dibrugarh
- Bihar: Patna, Purnea
- Chhattisgarh: Durg (Bhilai)
- Delhi: Including New Delhi and Delhi Cantonment
- Goa: Panaji, Marmagoa, Vasco Dabolim
- Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara
- Haryana: Gurgaon, Faridabad, Rohtak
- Jammu & Kashmir: Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Anantnag
- Karnataka: Bengaluru (Urban), Malleshwar
- Kerala: Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram
- Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nasik
- Uttar Pradesh: Agra, Allahabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi
- West Bengal: Kolkata, Darjeeling, Siliguri, Durgapur
- Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Kalpakkam
Also Read: From Dal Lake to Marine Drive: How Indian cities are bracing for tomorrow's air raids, blackouts, and evacuation mock drills
The civil defence system
India’s civil defence system relies heavily on volunteers who support local authorities in tasks like crowd control, traffic management, and disaster relief. In normal times, the force is supported by a small cadre of paid personnel, but during emergencies, volunteers play a crucial role. Civil defence measures, particularly in sensitive border regions, are essential to national security, which is why such drills are critical for maintaining readiness.
In addition to testing response measures, the drills will help identify any gaps in civil defence infrastructure. Following a review meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan on May 5, officials confirmed that the focus will be on improving and fixing any operational issues before the drills take place.
Officials have urged citizens to be ready and stay alert. In the event of an emergency, they’ve been advised to stock up on medical supplies, food, and essentials. This proactive approach will ensure that, should the worst happen, the public is prepared to handle any situation. Mock drills at the grassroots level will be a part of this process, helping local populations become more familiar with the procedures they should follow during an emergency.
As the geopolitical climate remains tense, these exercises are not just precautionary but a necessary step in ensuring the nation’s preparedness for potential threats.
Also Read: Inside India's mock security drill on May 7: How towns prepare for air raids with blackouts
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