India Civil Defense Mock Drill on May 7: What It Is, Why It Matters

Mock Drill: After the Pahalgam terror attack, relations between India and Pakistan have worsened more than ever. War-like situations have arisen. The armies of both countries are ready with full preparation. The Pakistani Army Chief is constantly adding fuel to this fire of tension with his statements.

Meanwhile, the Government of India has decided that a civil defense mock drill will be conducted on Wednesday, May 7. Such drills are conducted in case of war and emergency. During this, sirens warning of air strikes are sounded. People are trained to reach safe places following the blackout protocol.

What will happen on May 7?

On May 7, 2025, mock drills will be conducted in officially designated districts and departments in the country. For this, instructions have been given to the states and union territories to organize and inspect the civil defense mock drill.

Who will participate in the mock drill?

It will include local administration, civil defense wardens, home guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members, and school-college students.

How will the mock drill be conducted?

A high-level meeting was held in Delhi today regarding the Civil Defense Mock Drill, in which many senior officials including Chief Secretaries of the states and the Army Chief were present. The Home Ministry has identified some districts (civil defense districts) of the country to practice on rescue methods during war. Civil defense districts have been divided into three categories based on sensitivity.

• Category-1 Most Sensitive
• Category-2 Sensitive
• Category-3 Less Sensitive

Mock Drill: Read step-by-step here…

Air Raid Siren

Air strike/air raid warning sirens (air raid sirens) will be sounded during the mock drill. In case of emergency, these alarm systems alert people about air strikes, so that people can reach a safe place.

Training of Citizens

Workshops will be organized for the general public in schools, offices and community centers. Here they will be taught what to do during an attack. Such as- 'drop and cover' technique (crouch and hide and close your ears), finding the nearest shelter, giving first aid and staying calm during stress.

Crash Blackout

Sudden blackout practice will be done in the country. In this, the lights will be cut off. All lighting equipment will be turned off so that the enemy can be saved during an air attack. Crash blackout was widely followed during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

Camouflage practice

Camouflage practice means that strategic buildings and installations like military bases, Parliament, communication towers and power plants will be covered (camouflaged) in such a way that they cannot be identified during satellite or aerial surveillance.

Evacuation practice

Evacuation practice means that the authorities will practice moving people from high-risk areas to safe areas. Evacuation exercises will help in smoothening the operation by identifying all the possible problems in an emergency situation.

Why was the mock drill needed?

On April 22, there was a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In this, 26 tourists were killed and many were injured. Since then, tension between India and Pakistan is increasing continuously. Pakistan is constantly firing on the LoC. Both countries are standing on the verge of war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the three army chiefs in the last seven days and discussed the preparations and possible action plan. PM Modi had said that the conspirators will get a bigger punishment than they think.

The mock drill being conducted after this is a sign of strategic change by the Government of India, in which along with military preparations, civilian readiness will also be seen.

Now let us tell you what is a blackout exercise or mock drill...

What is a mock drill?

CivilDefence Mock Drill is a kind of exercise in which it is observed how and how quickly the common people and the administration react in case of an emergency like an air raid or a bomb attack.

Its purpose is to reduce panic during an emergency, prevent chaos from spreading and save lives. Mock drill is conducted under the Civil Defence Rules, 1968.

What is a blackout exercise?

A blackout means that the lights of the entire area are turned off for a certain time. Its purpose is to show how the entire area can be kept safe in the dark if an enemy country attacks India. It is difficult to aim in the dark.

What will be emphasized in the mock drill?

• Sounding sirens to warn of air raids.
• Training the common people to protect themselves during the attack.
• Blackout during the mock drill.
• Hiding important factories and places including airbases and oil refineries during the attack.
• Training the common people to evacuate and take them to a safe place.
• Management of the team helping people, firefighting and rescue operations will be done.
• The functioning of the control room and auxiliary control room will be reviewed in case of emergency.
• Checking the alertness of the air raid warning system.
• Linking hotlines and radio communications with the Air Force.

What will happen after the mock drill?

When the mock drill is over, the states and union territories participating in the drill will have to submit an action report. This report will contain details of the action taken, execution, conclusions and areas of improvement.

Ferozepur set an example

Such practice has been done in some areas before the nationwide mock drill. On Sunday night, a blackout was practiced in Ferozepur Cantt in Punjab. Ferozepur is adjacent to the India-Pakistan border, there was a blackout here from 9 to 9:30 pm. Hooters kept sounding continuously for about 30 minutes.

What steps did India take after the Pahalgam attack?

April 23, 2025

• India suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.
• The Attari Wagah border post was closed immediately.
• Visas of all Pakistani citizens were canceled with immediate effect.
• Pakistanis living in India were sent back.
• India ordered the closure of the Pakistani High Commission.

April 26, 2025

• The houses of terrorists associated with the Pahalgam attack were demolished. April 30, 2025
• 16 Pakistani YouTube channels and dozens of x handles and sites banned.

May 1, 2025

• India closed Indian airspace for Pakistani aircraft until May 23, 2025.

May 2, 2025

• India asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review loans given to Pakistan.
• Blocked the official YouTube channel and Instagram accounts of Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and four cricketers.

May 3, 2025

• India banned direct and indirect imports from Pakistan.

May 4, 2025

• India closed all gates of the Baglihar dam and stopped the flow of water from the Chenab river.

Also Read: Pahalgam Terror Attack: 26 Dead, Tourists Among Victims, Nation Mourns