High-level meeting at home ministry ahead of May 7 civil defence mock drill; nationwide security preparedness reviewed

Home Ministry to Conduct First Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill Since 1971, Focusing on National Security and Disaster Preparedness

New Delhi, 6 May 2025

A high-level meeting was convened on Tuesday at the Ministry of Home Affairs to review the preparations for the nationwide civil defence mock drill set for May 7. Chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, the meeting took place at the Ministry’s North Block headquarters and was attended by representatives from 244 civil defence districts, chief secretaries of various states, senior officials from national security agencies, and other key stakeholders.

The Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier announced that a nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill will be held across 244 districts on May 7, which will be the first time since 1971. The drill will involve various national security and disaster management agencies, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Civil Defence, Fire Services, Air Defence, and other emergency response units. This large-scale exercise is designed to test the preparedness of emergency response systems in handling potential security threats and natural disasters.

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A Civil Defence Mock Drill is a vital exercise aimed at evaluating the readiness of both authorities and citizens to respond to emergencies such as rocket, missile, and aerial attacks. It will simulate real-life situations and assess the effectiveness of response measures, coordination among agencies, and the ability of local authorities to handle crises.

Border areas and sensitive districts that are deemed high-risk due to security threats will undergo specific evaluations to assess the readiness of local authorities to handle emergencies.

The May 7 mock drill will test a wide range of preparedness measures, including air raid warning sirens, blackout protocols, evacuation procedures, and the implementation of emergency response plans. During the exercise, civilians will be trained in self-protection methods, such as how to evacuate buildings and reach safe zones in the event of an attack. Officials will also evaluate whether blackout measures can be effectively implemented to ensure safety during aerial threats.

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In addition to strengthening the country’s civil defence system, the drill aims to raise public awareness and train citizens, especially students, in how to react during a potential emergency. This includes understanding how to protect themselves, follow evacuation routes, and use available emergency services.

This mock drill comes in the wake of the terrorist attack on April 22 in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which prompted the government to review and intensify national security measures. The central government has issued directives to further secure vulnerable regions, leading to the scheduling of the nationwide civil defence drill.