In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, and amidst rising tensions with Pakistan, the Central Government has ordered an extensive civil defence preparedness drill across 244 districts in 22 states and Union Territories (UTs). The mock drills, scheduled for May 7, aim to strengthen the grassroots readiness to respond to any war-like or terrorist scenario, especially in border and vulnerable regions.
As per the revised categorization by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), the total 259 locations in states and UTs are covered, with designated districts falling into Category I, Category II, and Category III.
Key metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, and Bhopal have been included in Category-I and Category-II zones, where full-scale evacuation, blackout simulation, and air raid siren tests will be conducted.
States with international borders have received heightened attention. Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Assam, West Bengal, and Arunachal Pradesh include multiple border-facing districts like Baramulla, Kupwara, Pathankot, Jaisalmer, Barmer, Dhaka, Malda, Murshidabad, and Tawang, which are particularly vulnerable due to proximity to Pakistan, Bangladesh, and China.
The inclusion of Kupwara, Rajouri, and Poonch in Jammu & Kashmir, alongside drills in Amritsar, Ferozepur, and Pathankot in Punjab, signals a focused effort on border security preparedness.
In the East, Assam stands out with an extensive list of over 20 districts involved, including Guwahati, Silchar, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia, some of which border Bangladesh and are prone to insurgency and illegal migration.
West Bengal features critical districts such as Siliguri, Malda, and Murshidabad, known for porous borders and smuggling risks.
The Northeast frontier includes districts in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura, where drills are being conducted in key towns like Itanagar, Tawang, Aizawl, and Agartala, all close to either China or Bangladesh.
Coastal cities and strategic ports such as Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Paradeep, Mangalore, and Tuticorin are also part of the exercise, reflecting the government’s integrated approach towards maritime and inland threat responses.
Union Territories like Port Blair, Daman, Silvassa, and Chandigarh have not been left out, ensuring that civil defence awareness percolates across all administrative levels.
This exercise is a part of the Revamping Scheme of Civil Defence under a Centrally Sponsored initiative. The previous approach of town-centric response has been replaced by a district-wide strategy — ensuring entire district populations are trained, alert, and able to respond quickly in crisis situations.
Citizens are urged to cooperate during the drill, understand shelter protocols, respond to sirens and emergency announcements, and avoid spreading misinformation. State and district administrations have been instructed to ensure maximum civilian participation and awareness building.
The nationwide drill will simulate a range of emergency scenarios aimed at enhancing public readiness and coordination. Key activities will include the activation of air raid sirens to signal threat awareness, the implementation of blackout procedures to prepare for potential aerial threats, evacuation drills to ensure smooth movement of civilians from danger zones, and public training sessions focused on emergency response protocols. These measures are designed to familiarise citizens with real-time crisis management and strengthen the civil defence mechanism at the grassroots level.
Reputed news agencies sharing 2005 mock drill list🤦🏻♀️ pic.twitter.com/JMn84cBcYs
— Trupti Garg (@garg_trupti) May 6, 2025
In addition to existing safety measures, a drill to protect against potential air raids will be conducted on 7th May to further strengthen public preparedness and psychological readiness. They include staying calm, educating children about safety procedures, and saving the air raid protection checklist on mobiles for quick access during emergencies.
Alertness and Vigilance:
Recognise the sound of the air raid siren. Stay tuned to official alerts via mobile or radio. Avoid believing in rumours and rely only on verified information from trusted sources.
Safe Place (Shelter):
Be aware of the location of the nearest bunker or shelter. Prepare a strong, windowless room within your home as a fallback. Decide in advance the quickest route to reach your designated shelter.
Keep Essentials Ready:
Ensure you have drinking water for at least three days, dry food such as biscuits and dry fruits, a first aid kit, a torch with extra batteries, a portable radio, important documents (ID, medical reports, bank details), and a mobile charger or power bank.
Darkness and Safety:
At night, turn off all lights to maintain blackout conditions. Cover windows with thick curtains, black paper, or blinds to prevent light leakage. Stay away from glass surfaces and lie down on the floor for safety.
Practice and Preparation:
Conduct regular air raid drills with your family. Teach children about the location of safe spaces and the necessary procedures. Coordinate with your neighbours to ensure mutual support and preparedness.
What to Do After the Attack:
Leave your shelter only when official instructions are issued. If anyone is injured, administer first aid immediately. If you come across any suspicious object or bomb, do not touch it—inform the police without delay.
