MHA orders civil defence drills on May 7: What the 5 measures involve and why they matter

File photo of CISF personnel carrying injured (volunteers) during a multi-agency mock drill at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Metro Station in New Delhi.

With India-Pakistan tensions escalating in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 Indian soldiers dead, New Delhi is shifting gears — not just militarily but also in terms of civilian preparedness. In a significant move, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued a directive to several states to conduct nationwide civil defence mock drills on May 7.

"In the current geo-political scenario, new and complex threats/challenges have emerged, hence, it would be prudent that optimum civil defence preparedness in the states/UTs is maintained at all times," the letter from the Directorate General Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards said.

"The primary objectives of the mock drill are as follows: To assess the effectiveness of air raid warning systems; Operationalization of Hotline/Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force; To test the functionality of control rooms and shadow control rooms; Training of civilians, students, etc, on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of hostile attack; Provision of crash black out measures.
Provision for early camouflaging of vital plants / installations; To verify the activation and response of Civil Defence services, including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations, and depot management; To assess the implementation of crash blackout measures; To evaluate the preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution," read the MHA notification.

These drills are designed to ensure that citizens, local administrations, and emergency services are well-prepared in the event of a hostile strike, including missile attacks or air raids.

The MHA’s directive signals a serious effort to revive Cold War-style readiness protocols, many of which have not been practiced on this scale in decades. From air raid sirens to blackout drills, the initiative reflects a comprehensive approach to national security.

Let’s take a closer look at the five key measures mandated for implementation during the mock drills:

Operationalisation of air raid warning sirens: All designated urban centres and vulnerable installations will test and activate air raid sirens — loud emergency alarms designed to alert civilians of an incoming aerial threat.

This throwback measure, often seen during wartime, is being revived to ensure immediate public response during any aerial incursion, such as missile attacks or drone raids. The sirens serve as a critical first-line alert system, allowing people to quickly seek shelter.

Training of civilians, students, and workers on civil defence protocols: Educational institutions, workplaces, and community centres will hold workshops and quick-response training sessions on safety protocols during an attack.

These sessions focus on actions such as duck-and-cover techniques, finding the nearest shelter, protecting vital body parts, and first-aid response. It empowers the population to respond rationally and safely in high-stress emergency scenarios, reducing casualties and chaos.

Crash blackout measures: Cities and critical infrastructure zones will practice swift blackout protocols — turning off all visible lights at short notice to avoid becoming targets during night-time aerial surveillance or strikes.

Blackouts were a common strategy during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War to prevent enemy aircraft from identifying and targeting populated or strategic areas. Reviving this practice suggests preparing for worst-case scenarios and ensuring cities can vanish from the enemy’s view if needed.

Camouflaging of vital installations: Industrial plants, government buildings, military outposts, power stations, and communication hubs will undergo camouflage exercises. This may involve using netting, paint, or foliage to disguise structures from satellite and aerial reconnaissance.

Camouflage delays enemy target identification and can prevent or reduce the damage from precision strikes. It’s a proactive deterrent that reduces the likelihood of high-value targets being hit in the event of aggression.

Updating and rehearsing evacuation plans: State and district administrations are required to revisit existing evacuation blueprints and conduct dry-runs for quick, orderly movement of civilians from high-risk zones.

An effective evacuation plan ensures that people living near borders, sensitive military zones, or strategic assets can be safely relocated within a limited time window. Rehearsals are vital for identifying bottlenecks and ensuring seamless execution under pressure.