India will conduct a nationwide civil defence mock drill on May 7 — its first since the 1971 war. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has selected 259 locations in 33 states and union territories. Each state is responding with its own strategy, involving local police, disaster response forces, and civil defence volunteers. The backdrop to the drill is a sharp rise in tension with Pakistan following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 tourists dead.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states to conduct these drills. This is due to "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Here’s how states are preparing.
Also Read: From blackouts to bunkers: Inside India’s civil defence mock drills across 244 districts on May 7
Delhi: High-alert and patrols across the capital
In the national capital, police forces have intensified surveillance. Patrolling has increased, especially at sensitive spots such as Connaught Place, India Gate and Janpath. Delhi’s Home Minister Ashish Sood said, “Preparations are going on. We will seek more information and preparations will be made in that regard.”
He added: “Such announcements have been made for the first time after 1971, and we are ready. The people of Delhi are with PM Narendra Modi and his call with all their hearts.”
Chandigarh: Blackout drill for 10 min at 7.30 pm
Chandigarh will conduct a 10-minute blackout drill on Wednesday evening. The administration is asking residents to switch off all lights at their homes and businesses during this time. The blackout rehearsal will take place from 7:30 pm to 7:40 pm on Wednesday.
A siren will sound at 7:30 pm and continue for 10 minutes. Deputy Commissioner Nishan Kumar Yadav said, "I appeal to all citizens to switch off lights at their homes for 10 minutes. And if possible, they should remain at their homes so that preparation for a blackout can be conducted."
People should also turn off generators and inverters. If people are driving, they should park their cars and turn off the headlights. Shops and malls are also asked to switch off their lights. Hospitals, clinics, and medical institutions will not have a power shutdown during the drill.
The administration is asking people not to panic or hoard essentials like petrol, diesel, or food. The drill is voluntary, and any problems found will be fixed later. Business will return to normal after 7:40 pm.
Maharashtra: Coastal drills and response evaluation
In Mumbai, the focus is on the coastline. Civil defence teams, fire services and other emergency units will test their coordination. “Tomorrow, we will do mock drills in the coastal areas. All the agencies under the collector will take part. We will assess the things and then will take action as to what we need to improve,” said Prabhat Kumar, Director of Maharashtra Civil Defence.
Also Read: Mock drill in India: What it is and what to expect during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions
Uttar Pradesh: State-wide coordination led by police
In Lucknow, drills were rehearsed in Police Lines. Fire handling techniques and casualty response were demonstrated. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar said, “Information has been received from the central govt regarding a mock drill on 7th May. 19 districts have been identified (in UP), one district is in A category, 2 districts are in C category, and the rest are in B category.”
He added, “This mock drill will be conducted along with civil administration, Police administration, Fire Services, Disaster Response Force, so that we can deal with any kind of emergency situations.”
Jammu and Kashmir: Dal Lake drills and student training
Police, disaster response teams and tourist patrols have conducted drills on Dal Lake, focusing on rescue operations during capsizing or drowning incidents. In addition, students across schools in Jammu and Kashmir are being trained on how to respond to sirens and aerial attack signals.
Punjab: Focus on border protection across 20 districts
In Punjab, civil defence units will lead mock exercises in all 20 districts. These include drills on evacuation, communication blackouts, and emergency shelter protocols. State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Mock drills will be conducted in 20 districts of the state. Teams of Civil Defence, Punjab Police, along with the Home Ministry will conduct mock drills tomorrow. We have to protect our 500km border and citizens.”
Odisha: State-wide blackout simulations and infrastructure camouflage
Odisha is preparing for a multi-agency response. At a high-level review chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahoo, the state outlined drills involving sudden blackouts, camouflage of critical installations, and evacuation protocols.
Also Read: What are civil defence districts & how are they categorised to conduct war-like mock military drills?
Karnataka to hold drills at 3 places
Mock drills will be conducted in Bengaluru, Karwar, and Raichur on May 7, given the "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Director General of Police Prashant Kumar Thakur said the drills will continue for a week and are aimed at identifying and addressing gaps in preparedness and resources.
"Mock drills will be held at three locations in the state, including Bengaluru city, which is a metropolitan area with numerous defence establishments and is a very sensitive district for Karnataka," Thakur said.
"The second location is Karwar in Uttara Kannada district, home to the Kaiga nuclear power station. The third is Raichur, selected due to the thermal power station there," he added.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur said, "We have discussed the mock drill components with the Ministry of Home Affairs."
Other States and UTs: Broad mobilisation under central guidance
While states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Rajasthan have not issued public details, central authorities have confirmed full coordination across 33 states and UTs. Civil defence volunteers, students, NCC and NSS cadets, Home Guards and NYKS will be involved. Exercises include first-aid training, shelter management, communication protocol drills, and use of air raid sirens to simulate real-time responses.
Key drill components
The drill will include:
India’s civil defence law was enacted in 1968, with roots in Cold War-era civil protection models. This drill — the first of its kind in over 50 years — follows increasing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the recent deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to the Pahalgam attack, said, “The perpetrators and conspirators of the attack will be pursued to the ends of the Earth. They will be punished beyond their imagination.”
With tension on the border, the May 7 drill is not just a test of systems — it’s a reminder to every citizen to be prepared.
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked states to conduct these drills. This is due to "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Here’s how states are preparing.
Also Read: From blackouts to bunkers: Inside India’s civil defence mock drills across 244 districts on May 7
Delhi: High-alert and patrols across the capital
In the national capital, police forces have intensified surveillance. Patrolling has increased, especially at sensitive spots such as Connaught Place, India Gate and Janpath. Delhi’s Home Minister Ashish Sood said, “Preparations are going on. We will seek more information and preparations will be made in that regard.”
He added: “Such announcements have been made for the first time after 1971, and we are ready. The people of Delhi are with PM Narendra Modi and his call with all their hearts.”
Chandigarh: Blackout drill for 10 min at 7.30 pm
Chandigarh will conduct a 10-minute blackout drill on Wednesday evening. The administration is asking residents to switch off all lights at their homes and businesses during this time. The blackout rehearsal will take place from 7:30 pm to 7:40 pm on Wednesday.
A siren will sound at 7:30 pm and continue for 10 minutes. Deputy Commissioner Nishan Kumar Yadav said, "I appeal to all citizens to switch off lights at their homes for 10 minutes. And if possible, they should remain at their homes so that preparation for a blackout can be conducted."
People should also turn off generators and inverters. If people are driving, they should park their cars and turn off the headlights. Shops and malls are also asked to switch off their lights. Hospitals, clinics, and medical institutions will not have a power shutdown during the drill.
The administration is asking people not to panic or hoard essentials like petrol, diesel, or food. The drill is voluntary, and any problems found will be fixed later. Business will return to normal after 7:40 pm.
Maharashtra: Coastal drills and response evaluation
In Mumbai, the focus is on the coastline. Civil defence teams, fire services and other emergency units will test their coordination. “Tomorrow, we will do mock drills in the coastal areas. All the agencies under the collector will take part. We will assess the things and then will take action as to what we need to improve,” said Prabhat Kumar, Director of Maharashtra Civil Defence.
Also Read: Mock drill in India: What it is and what to expect during the May 7 war-like emergency blackout exercise amid India-Pakistan tensions
Uttar Pradesh: State-wide coordination led by police
In Lucknow, drills were rehearsed in Police Lines. Fire handling techniques and casualty response were demonstrated. Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar said, “Information has been received from the central govt regarding a mock drill on 7th May. 19 districts have been identified (in UP), one district is in A category, 2 districts are in C category, and the rest are in B category.”
He added, “This mock drill will be conducted along with civil administration, Police administration, Fire Services, Disaster Response Force, so that we can deal with any kind of emergency situations.”
Jammu and Kashmir: Dal Lake drills and student training
Police, disaster response teams and tourist patrols have conducted drills on Dal Lake, focusing on rescue operations during capsizing or drowning incidents. In addition, students across schools in Jammu and Kashmir are being trained on how to respond to sirens and aerial attack signals.
Punjab: Focus on border protection across 20 districts
In Punjab, civil defence units will lead mock exercises in all 20 districts. These include drills on evacuation, communication blackouts, and emergency shelter protocols. State Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, “Mock drills will be conducted in 20 districts of the state. Teams of Civil Defence, Punjab Police, along with the Home Ministry will conduct mock drills tomorrow. We have to protect our 500km border and citizens.”
Odisha: State-wide blackout simulations and infrastructure camouflage
Odisha is preparing for a multi-agency response. At a high-level review chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Satyabrata Sahoo, the state outlined drills involving sudden blackouts, camouflage of critical installations, and evacuation protocols.
Also Read: What are civil defence districts & how are they categorised to conduct war-like mock military drills?
Karnataka to hold drills at 3 places
Mock drills will be conducted in Bengaluru, Karwar, and Raichur on May 7, given the "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Director General of Police Prashant Kumar Thakur said the drills will continue for a week and are aimed at identifying and addressing gaps in preparedness and resources.
"Mock drills will be held at three locations in the state, including Bengaluru city, which is a metropolitan area with numerous defence establishments and is a very sensitive district for Karnataka," Thakur said.
"The second location is Karwar in Uttara Kannada district, home to the Kaiga nuclear power station. The third is Raichur, selected due to the thermal power station there," he added.
Speaking to reporters, Thakur said, "We have discussed the mock drill components with the Ministry of Home Affairs."
Other States and UTs: Broad mobilisation under central guidance
While states like Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Rajasthan have not issued public details, central authorities have confirmed full coordination across 33 states and UTs. Civil defence volunteers, students, NCC and NSS cadets, Home Guards and NYKS will be involved. Exercises include first-aid training, shelter management, communication protocol drills, and use of air raid sirens to simulate real-time responses.
Key drill components
The drill will include:
- Air Raid Sirens: Alerting civilians to take cover
- Crash Blackouts: Simulating wartime power cuts
- Camouflage Measures: Hiding key infrastructure
- Evacuation Drills: Moving civilians to safer zones
- Public Training: Teaching civilians how to react to war-like situations
India’s civil defence law was enacted in 1968, with roots in Cold War-era civil protection models. This drill — the first of its kind in over 50 years — follows increasing ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the recent deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, referring to the Pahalgam attack, said, “The perpetrators and conspirators of the attack will be pursued to the ends of the Earth. They will be punished beyond their imagination.”
With tension on the border, the May 7 drill is not just a test of systems — it’s a reminder to every citizen to be prepared.
You may also like
Brian May 'excited' to make Queen announcement after his 'health hiccup'
King Charles and Queen Camilla give revealing verdicts on official Coronation portraits
Jalgaon: Loan Probe Against Gulabrao Deokar Begins Soon After Joining Ajit Pawar's NCP
To strengthen your bones, drink this homemade drink every day, it will be ready in 2 minutes, know the right way
India's strike will hit Pak where it hurts the most
