INDIA'S CIVIL DEFENCE EXERCISES

Along with Operation Sindoor, India is conducting civil defence exercises from May 7.

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The story so far: India has commenced nation-wide civil defence exercises on May 7, 2025, seeking to maintain optimum preparedness levels amid tension between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack. This is even as Indian forces launched Operation Sindoor in the intervening night of May 6 and 7, carrying out missile strikes against nine terror targets in Pakistan

A letter directing States to undertake such exercises was issued by the Directorate General of Civil Defence under the Home Ministry on May 5, 2025. Most States commenced civil defence exercises post 4 p.m on May 7, 2025. A total of 244 districts are expected to participate.

Cities and districts across India are taking part in civil defence activities under the moniker Operation Abhyas. An area is designated as civil defence district if there are vital installations such as refineries, or a nuclear plant, or a cantonment within its geographical boundaries. The objective is to test and strengthen the civil defence mechanisms and emergency response in such key districts, including air raid warning systems,

control room functionality, crisis communication capabilities, evacuation plans and blackout systems. The exercise also aims to prevent chaos or panic in case of a dire situation or emergency. Further, identifying infrastructure or capacity gaps would enable the government to bolster its defence, and eliminate weaknesses.

The drills are being conducted from the village level onwards, and include civil defence volunteers, Home Guards, and members from National Cadet Corps, National Service Scheme, and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan, among others. The police, fire services and disaster response teams are also involved.

Measures which incorporate civillian involvement include air-raid warnings, mock reaction drills, simulated emergency exercises and planned blackouts.