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4mo ago

India Completes First Nationwide Civil Defence Drills in Over Five Decades

The large-scale preparedness exercise tested air raid protocols, blackouts, and emergency responses across 244 districts, with authorities now reviewing outcomes for further improvements.

A rehearsal mock drill conducted by the Local NGO and scout volunteers at the Bara Tooti Chowk in Sadar Bazar Market in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
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RWAs, schools, and key institutions have been roped in to raise awareness, while messaging campaigns across digital and offline platforms are informing citizens about the drill. (PTI)
Officials in Lucknow prepare for siren activation and blackout procedures, on Tuesday. (Deepak Gupta/HT Photo)

Overview

  • The nationwide civil defence drills, conducted on May 7, marked the first such exercise since the 1971 India-Pakistan war, involving simulations of air raids, blackouts, evacuations, and first aid training.
  • Operation Abhyas, conducted at 55 locations in Delhi, included scenarios at key sites like Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport and Khan Market, alongside broader exercises across other states and districts.
  • The drills were prompted by heightened tensions with Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, and were aimed at bolstering India's passive defence readiness.
  • Key components included testing air raid warning systems, establishing communication links with the Indian Air Force, and camouflaging vital installations to assess and improve emergency protocols.
  • Authorities are now compiling observations from the drills to identify gaps and implement corrective measures to strengthen multi-level civil defence preparedness.