Comprehensive Guide to Civil Defence Districts and Preparedness Drills

Understanding Civil Defence Districts

Civil Defence Districts are specific regions designated for the execution of civil defence strategies. These districts focus on preparing for emergencies arising from hostile attacks, natural calamities, or other crises. Presently, India has 259 such districts, categorized into three groups based on potential threats and critical infrastructure:

• Category I (201 districts): Full implementation of civil defence measures.
• Category II (45 districts): Partial implementation.
• Category III (13 districts): Monitoring only.

The Purpose of Civil Defence Drills

The central government has scheduled mock drills on May 7 across 244 Civil Defence Districts to evaluate and improve preparedness. These drills aim to test:

• Readiness for potential hostile attacks.
• Protocols for responding to air raids, sabotage, or assaults.
• Effectiveness of early warning systems, communication networks, shelters, and evacuation plans.

Legal Framework of Civil Defence in India

The Civil Defence Act, 1968 governs civil defence operations, established after the 1962 and 1965 conflicts. Key provisions include:

• Government authority to control movement, impose curfews, close infrastructure, and requisition property.
• Restrictions on communication, public gatherings, and arrests during emergencies.
• Directing individuals to perform duties crucial to national security.

The Evolution of Civil Defence in India

• Pre-1962: Focus on documentation and awareness.
• 1962–71 Wars: Formalization of the Civil Defence Act and initiation of drills.
• Since 1985: Expansion of coverage to include nuclear and conventional threats.
• Recent Years: Inclusion of natural disasters and terrorism as triggers for preparedness drills.

Activities in the Mock Drill

Mock drills include:

• Testing of air raid sirens and communication systems.
• Camouflaging of critical plants and installations.
• Evacuation and sheltering exercises for students and civilians.
• Training sessions on firefighting, search and rescue, medical response, and operating control rooms.

Impact on Daily Life During Drills

Drills might temporarily affect normal life, with potential road closures, traffic control, and restrictions in areas such as schools, power plants, railways, and ports. Public participation may be requested, with advance warnings issued.

The Larger Significance of Civil Defence Drills

Civil Defence drills play a crucial role in:

• Enhancing civilian awareness.
• Strengthening institutional response capabilities.
• Ensuring coordination among disaster management agencies, armed forces, and local administration.
• Protecting lives and infrastructure in real emergencies.

Global Practices in Civil Defence Drills

Globally, nations such as South Korea, the US, and Japan regularly conduct civil defence drills to prepare for hostile attacks and disasters. Ukraine has intensified its public defence drills following the Russian invasion.

Reasons Behind This Year’s Drill

The Home Ministry has highlighted general preparedness as the reason for this year’s drills. However, underlying factors include intelligence inputs on terrorist threats and reports of Pakistan’s missile tests near the Indian border in late April 2025.