Nationwide Mock Drill 

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 5th May directed all states and union territories to conduct the drills to test and strengthen the country’s preparedness on any event of attack or emergency.

As India braces for a major nationwide civil defense mock drill on Wednesday (May 7), expected to take place in over 244 districts of the country, with a key question on many citizens’ minds which is – Will their daily life be disturbed?

The 244 districts are across India, including border states of Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, and the North East. At least 100 of them have been identified as highly sensitive.

As of now, there has been no update from the government regarding the closure of any services, schools or colleges due to these mock drills. Check full list of districts where mock drills will be held on May 7

Will schools, colleges remain closed?

As of now, there is no update on schools and colleges across these districts announcing holidays or conducting online classes. No official order regarding the closure of schools has been issued by the government. However, students are advised to be in touch with their respective schools or colleges administrations for the latest update.

Will banks remain closed?

No, banks across India are expected to remain open and operate as usual on May 7, despite the nationwide civil defense mock drills scheduled for that day. There has been no notification or order regarding the closure of the banks on Wednesday.

Also read States, Districts, Cities identified for this drill.

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What disruptions we may face?

While local authorities are working closely with civil defense agencies to make sure that the drills are carried out smoothly without causing any panic or any inconvenience to the public, residents in some areas may notice some traffic issues, temporary closure of roads, internet shutdowns or blackouts.

Despite the scale of the operation, officials have confirmed that daily services, including public transport systems, trains, buses, and flights, will continue to operate on schedule.

Essential services such as hospitals, emergency response teams, and utilities will also remain fully functional.

So what will happen on May 7?

On May 7, the drills will be carried out across officially notified Civil Defense districts in coordination with district authorities. Participants will include Civil Defense wardens, Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members, and students from schools and colleges.

Citizens may experience short-term power cuts, blackout simulations, loud sirens, and restricted access to certain public areas. Traffic may also be diverted temporarily in some cities. These are part of a controlled exercise and not actual threats.

What we may experience during mock drill on May 7?

Citizens may experience temporary blackouts, suspension of mobile signals, or traffic diversions. Authorities may also conduct evacuation exercises or hold public announcements.

In some areas, police and forces may simulate a war-like emergency. The exercise may be broken down into following components:

1-Air Raid Sirens: Sirens will be activated to check public alert systems. These serve as warnings in case of incoming aerial threats, allowing people time to take cover.

2-Crash Blackouts: Cities may switch off visible lights to mimic blackout conditions used during wars. This reduces the risk of detection during night-time airstrikes.

3-Camouflage Exercises: Critical installations — including communication towers, power plants, and military areas — will undergo camouflage operations to test concealment techniques from aerial or satellite monitoring.

4-Evacuation Drills: Authorities will simulate evacuations from high-risk zones to safer locations. These drills help identify logistical issues and improve response time.

5-Civilian Training Sessions: Schools, colleges, and community centres will host awareness sessions. These will teach people how to nd shelter, use basic rst aid, and stay calm during emergencies.

How our major cities preparing for this mock drill?

Delhi: In the national capital, education minister Ashish Sood hailed the the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) call to conduct nationwide mock drills on May 7. He said, “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,” Ashish Sood told news agency ANI on Tuesday.

The Delhi government is finalizing a list of sites where these drills will be carried out on Wednesday.

Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Civil Defense, Police and local administration rehearsed a mock drill exercise in Lucknow’s Police Lines, following MHA’s order for nationwide mock drills on May 7

“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,” Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar told news agency ANI.

Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir: Srinagar Police in coordination with Tourist Police and teams of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) conducted a comprehensive mock drill in Dal Lake on Tuesday. The exercise focused on response preparedness for contingency scenarios like boat capsizing and drowning incidents.

The team of Srinagar Police, Tourist Police and SDRF personnel, equipped with necessary resources and gear, practiced rescue and response procedures in real-time with the aim to mitigate effective rescue and response measures during contingent situations in accordance with established guidelines and safety protocols.

Chandigarh, Punjab: On May 7 mock drills to be held across the country, Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema told news agencies that, “Mock drills will be conducted in 20 districts of the state. Teams of Civil Defence, Punjab Police, along with the Union Home Ministry will conduct mock drills tomorrow. We have to protect our 500km border and citizens.”

What are India’s Civil Defense districts?

The MHA order categorically says that the drill will be carried out in Civil Defence districts —designated areas for organizing and executing emergency response strategies. These districts play a crucial role in training volunteers, managing local responses, and ensuring seamless coordination among civilian and security forces during crises.

Also read States, Districts, Cities identified for this drill.

What is the role of civil defense districts here?

The primary role of these districts is to carry out following functions:

-Training and mobilizing volunteers.

-Conducting blackout and evacuation drills.

-Managing coordination with Home Guards, NCC, NSS, NYKS, police, and local authorities.

-Organizing public awareness campaigns and shelter planning

How are 244 Civil Defense Districts categorized?

India’s 244 Civil Defense districts are selected based on strategic importance and vulnerability assessments. The categorization takes into account multiple criteria such as:

-Proximity to international borders: Districts in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Jammu & Kashmir.

-Presence of critical infrastructure: Areas with defense establishments, power grids, ports, and communication networks.

-Urban density and population risk: Large cities like metros.

-Coastal areas: Coastal districts, particularly those exposed to maritime threats.

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Also read States, Districts, Cities identified for this drill.

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