In a major nationwide preparedness exercise, nearly 300 ‘civil defence’ districts across India will be among areas that are set to conduct coordinated mock drills on Wednesday, including air raid responses, blackouts, evacuations, and emergency protocols at sensitive installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams. These security drills are the first of their kind since the 1971 war with Pakistan and come in the wake of heightened tensions following the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
According to a directive issued by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the drills aim to assess civilian readiness in the event of a military or terrorist strike. The decision follows a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, during which detailed guidelines for public participation were discussed.
The Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives—mostly civilians—is alleged by India to have been orchestrated by Pakistan’s deep state. In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly granted the armed forces a free hand to respond, prompting concerns over a possible retaliatory attack on Indian cities.
The MHA has ordered states and Union Territories to conduct security drills, including the testing of air raid sirens, control room functionality, and emergency communication hotlines with the Indian Air Force. States were also asked to ensure critical services like firefighting are fully operational, and to simulate enemy strikes with blackouts and evacuations.
Mock Drills In Nearly 300 ‘Civil Defence Zones’ With Nuclear Plants, Military Bases
There are three categories of Civil Defence Districts in India. High-risk Category 1 areas include Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kalpakkam (Tamil Nadu), Surat (Gujarat), and Tarapur (Maharashtra), all housing nuclear facilities or critical infrastructure.
According to sources cited by news agency PTI, the ‘civil defence districts’ are different from the normal administrative districts, as a geographical area having a cantonment or a refinery or a nuclear plant may be designated as a ‘civil defence district’ depending on the requirement and exigency. “Such districts are designated by the respective state authorities, and we believe, the mock drills will be carried out in nearly 300 such civil defence districts across the country,” they said.
Nationwide Mock Drill Rehearsals From Jammu-Kashmir To Manipur
Visuals shared by news ageny ANI showed school students in Jammu ducking under desks during air raid simulations.
#WATCH | Students in a Jammu school being trained to respond to any eventuality during a mock drill exercise
MHA has directed countrywide mock drills on May 7 pic.twitter.com/NxxxmOGetn
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2025
SDRF personnel held an exercise to prepare for tomorrow’s mock drill at Dal Lake in Srinagar.
#WATCH | Srinagar, J&K | SDRF personnel hold exercise to prepare for tomorrow’s mock drill at Dal lake
MHA has asked several states and UTs to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence, tomorrow, May 7. pic.twitter.com/FEUQYw8huG
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2025
Punjab Home and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema confirmed that 20 districts will conduct drills involving police and civil defence teams. In Odisha, exercises will take place in 12 locations including Puri, ahead of the Rath Yatra festival on June 27. NSG commandos are coordinating with state police at the Shree Jagannath Temple.
Delhi Police have ramped up patrols, especially around Connaught Place, India Gate, Janpath, and other high-footfall zones. “We have already increased day and night patrolling. Paramilitary forces are deployed at Delhi’s borders with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh,” a police source told PTI. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Abhishek Dhania added, “Vehicle inspections at key entry and exit points have been intensified. We request the cooperation of all residents and commuters during this time.”
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary highlighted the emphasis on community policing: “Teams are conducting foot patrols to strengthen community policing and maintain law and order.”
Bomb Disposal Squads and dog units will be deployed at crowded areas like Palika Bazaar, Janpath, Khan Market, and near government buildings. Police are also focusing on suspicious individuals and unregistered vehicles as part of enhanced anti-terror measures.
Security efforts extend beyond the capital.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar stated, “We have received directions from the Government of India for civil defence mock drills scheduled to be held on May 7. Nineteen districts have been identified, out of which one is in Category A, two in Category C, and the rest in Category D. However, considering the sensitivity, the state government has directed that the drills be conducted in all districts.”
In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, civil defence officials and police practised fire drills by dousing mock blazes and evacuating ‘injured’ persons. Air raid sirens were also tested in Lucknow’s Civil Lines area as part of crowd control preparations.
#WATCH | UP: Civil Defence, Police and local administration rehearse mock drill exercise in Lucknow’s Police Lines, following MHA’s order for nationwide mock drills on May 7 pic.twitter.com/ipJHVivYZE
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2025
In Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer, Superintendent of Police Sudhir Choudhary warned, “If someone leaks information for money they will face severe action. If anyone is doing so out of fear or blackmail, they must inform us. We have our eyes on everyone… all intelligence agencies are active”, NDTV reported.
Other states conducting drills include Madhya Pradesh (five districts), Karnataka (three districts), Gujarat (15), and Maharashtra (16, including Thane, Pune, Nashik, Aurangabad, Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg).
Central Railway conducted a mock drill rehearsal at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), Mumbai. The RPF team, with its sniffer dogs and other gadgets and equipment, were part of the excercise, ANI reported.
VIDEO | Preparations for Civil Defence mock drill being held at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai.
The Union Home Ministry has asked all states to conduct mock drills on Wednesday in view of “new and complex threats” that have emerged amid rising tensions with… pic.twitter.com/N0FXUw25Sv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 6, 2025
In Manipur, firefighting motorbikes have been introduced for faster emergency response in narrow city lanes. “Due to heavy traffic and narrow streets in Imphal, accessing areas with fire trucks is difficult. That’s why we’ve incorporated firefighting motorbikes,” said KH Surchandra Singh, a senior fire services officer, as per ANI.
Manipur enhances fire response with high-tech motorbikes.#manipur #imphal #motorbike pic.twitter.com/pfJQLwu7H8
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2025
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has appealed to citizens to actively participate in the drills. In a post on X, the party wrote: “Appeal to all citizens to come forward and volunteer… Your participation will make all the difference.”
These large-scale exercises underscore India’s strategic emphasis on civilian preparedness and infrastructure protection amid evolving national security challenges.
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