India Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill 2025

A mock drill is a simulated exercise designed to test and improve preparedness for emergency situations. It involves practicing responses to potential threats such as natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or wartime scenarios, allowing authorities and civilians to rehearse safety protocols, evacuation procedures, and coordination among various agencies. The goal is to identify gaps in readiness, train participants, and ensure effective management during real emergencies.

Civil Defence Mock Drill in India: Overview

The 2025 India Civil Defence Mock Drill, codenamed Operation Abhyaas, is a nationwide emergency preparedness exercise conducted on May 7, 2025. It is organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to enhance the country’s readiness for war-like situations, especially amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025.

Key Components of the Mock Drill

Air Raid Sirens Activation: Sirens are sounded in urban centers to alert the public of potential aerial threats, giving them time to seek shelter.
Blackout Procedures: Simulated sudden power outages involve turning off all visible lights to avoid detection during hypothetical night attacks, testing blackout readiness.
Evacuation Drills: Rehearsals of moving people from high-risk zones to safe areas to ensure smooth and efficient evacuation in emergencies.
Civilian Training: Workshops and awareness sessions educate students, government and private employees, healthcare workers, and volunteers on safety protocols, first aid, and emergency response.

Scope and Participation

The drill covers 244 districts across all states and Union Territories, classified into categories based on the level of civil defence implementation required.
Key participants include volunteers from the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), civil defence personnel, and various government and private sector employees.
Major metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, along with sensitive locations such as nuclear plants and border areas, are focal points of the exercise.

Purpose and Significance

The mock drill aims to:

Test and improve India’s Integrated Response System (IRS) and civil defence capabilities.
Prepare citizens and authorities for potential hostile attacks, including air raids and chemical or terrorist incidents.
Raise public awareness about emergency protocols and minimize confusion during real crises.
Enhance coordination among emergency services, government agencies, and the public.

Summary

A mock drill is a planned simulation to prepare for emergencies. India’s Operation Abhyaas on May 7, 2025, is a large-scale civil defence mock drill involving air raid sirens, blackouts, evacuations, and training across 244 districts. It engages thousands of volunteers and officials to ensure the nation is ready for any war-like or emergency situation, especially in the context of current geopolitical tensions.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies