India’s War Survival Mock Drill: Amid growing tension with Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack, the Indian government is stepping up its preparedness with large-scale civil defense mock drills. On Wednesday, May 7, mock drills will be conducted in 244 regions across India to train citizens and authorities on war survival techniques. These drills aim to ensure that both government agencies and civilians are prepared to act in case of emergency situations such as air raids or attacks.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has identified these regions as Civil Defence Districts, which are different from regular administrative districts. The list was released on Tuesday and includes sensitive areas categorized based on strategic and defense-related importance.
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Civil Defence Districts: What Are They?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has established a total of 259 Civil Defence Districts across 35 states and union territories. These are not always equivalent to administrative or revenue districts.
For example, Uttar Pradesh has 19 civil defense districts, including key administrative cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Mathura, but also specific zones like Bakshi-ka-Talab and Sarwasa, which hold strategic installations such as Air Force Stations.
Category-Based Sensitivity
The 259 Civil Defence Districts have been divided into three categories based on sensitivity:
- Category 1 (Most Sensitive): 13 districts
Example: Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, due to the Narora Nuclear Plant. - Category 2: 201 districts
- Category 3 (Least Sensitive): 45 districts
These drills are aimed at both preventing panic and ensuring smooth coordination between military, civil defense, and rescue agencies in the event of a national crisis.
Key Objectives of the Mock Drills
The government has outlined 9 major objectives for the mock drills:
- Testing Air Raid Warning Systems – To check public and institutional response during an air attack.
- Hotline and Radio Communication Setup – Ensuring seamless connectivity between civil authorities and the Indian Air Force.
- Functionality of Control Rooms – Checking operations of both main and auxiliary control centers.
- Public Safety Education – Teaching citizens, especially students, how to act during wartime scenarios.
- Evacuation Execution – Reviewing and testing mass evacuation plans.
- Blackout Simulation – Training for total power outages, including what to do during blackouts.
- Protection of Key Institutions – Learning how to shield critical infrastructure like power plants and hospitals.
- Emergency Team Readiness – Assessing preparedness of firefighting and rescue teams.
- Community Awareness – Encouraging households to keep torches, cash, radios, and emergency kits ready.
High-Level Coordination
A high-level meeting was conducted in New Delhi on May 6 to review the preparations. Senior officials, including Chief Secretaries of States and the Chief of Civil Defence, participated in the meeting chaired by MHA.
The meeting emphasized the need for public awareness and community participation to ensure the success of the mock drills. Authorities have also been instructed to share advisories on social media and local news outlets.
Drills Return After 54 Years
This is the first nationwide mock drill of its kind since the 1971 India-Pakistan war. At that time, civil defense drills were common and essential due to ongoing conflict. The decision to restart them on such a scale reflects both changing geopolitical realities and a renewed focus on national preparedness.
Ahead of this nationwide event, Punjab’s Ferozepur cantonment had already conducted a blackout drill on Sunday night, where electricity was cut off between 9:00 pm and 9:30 pm in villages and urban areas to simulate wartime conditions.
Are You Prepared?
If your district is on the list, here are some things the Home Ministry recommends every household should keep ready:
- Torch and extra batteries
- Battery-powered radio
- Emergency cash
- First aid kit and basic medicines
- Drinking water and dry food
- Copy of important documents
Training Underway in Key Cities
In Lucknow, Mumbai, and Srinagar, rescue teams such as the SDRF, police, and firefighters are already undergoing special training. These teams will lead drills and help civilians understand their roles during a real emergency.
The civil defense machinery will be activated to test their coordination and response. These teams will also demonstrate rescue operations, fire safety, emergency shelters, and evacuation protocols.
These mock drills are not meant to spread panic, but to empower citizens with awareness and readiness. With increasing geopolitical uncertainties, such preparedness could make the difference between chaos and survival.
Check the full list of Civil Defence Districts here:
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