Blackouts And Sirens, 2nd Time Since 1971: What's A Security Drill, How's It Conducted? Explained
From air raid warning signs to blackouts and shelters, the mock drill will test operational efficacy in vulnerable districts and train civilians.
India is set to conduct a civil defence mock drill on May 7, which trains the country’s citizens in safeguarding themselves in times of any eventuality. While the mock drill comes at a time of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, Civil Defence DG Vivek Srivastava has said that the exercise should not spread panic and is being undertaken to help India revisit the civil defence SOP for any eventuality.
From air raid warning signs to blackouts and shelters, the mock drill will test operational efficacy in vulnerable districts and train civilians. Most of the present generation has never seen a war and the exercise is meant to educate the masses of the utmost importance of wartime SOP, sources told CNN-News18.
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What Is A Civil Defence Mock Drill?
A civil defence mock drill is a response exercise conducted by authorities to test and improve preparedness for disasters or crises like earthquakes, floods, chemical leaks, terror attacks, nuclear emergencies or war.
Starting Wednesday (May 7), the DMs of all districts will revisit the list of civil defence volunteers and update the contact numbers and names which will be prepared in case of any emergency.
Officials say vulnerable districts throughout India have been identified and the collectors will lead the drill on Wednesday in these districts. “This will be to test the operational efficacy in vulnerable districts and train civilians. It is a multi stake holder exercise that will be undertaken," a senior official who is in charge of civil defence told CNN-News18.
“The list should be at the ready disposal of the DM to deploy the volunteers in times of emergency," a senior official said. Here’s what the security drill will include:
Air Raid Warning Sirens: A crucial part of the drill is checking the air raid warning system. Testing of air raid sirens will be conducted to ensure that civilians could be promptly alerted in the event of an aerial attack.
Bunkers: In frontline areas, civilians must take shelter in protected zones. Regions close to potential conflict zones, such as Kashmir’s Uri, have begun preparing community bunkers. Students near the international border, like in Arnia, have already practiced evacuation drills for emergencies.
Blackout: Blackout procedures will also be part of the May 7 mock drills. “When a blackout siren sounds, the standard operating procedure must be followed. The drill will evaluate the sirens’ functionality and people’s response efficiency. All stakeholders need to be familiar with the SOP," officials explained.
Safety of Vital Installations: Civil defence officials mentioned that a list of vital installations is outlined under the act. These include defence, paramilitary installations, hospitals, and other strategically important facilities.
Training Civilians and Students: The final drill aspect will acquaint civilians, students, and hospital staff with civil defence volunteers to ensure they follow instructions during emergencies. Authorities will discuss evacuation plans with institutions during the mock drill.
When Was The Last Time India Saw Such a Mock Drill?
While India conducts regular mock drills in locations that are earthquake-prone or flood-prone, the last civil mock drill for security concerns in India was conducted in 2008 after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Mock drills were also conducted in certain regions including Delhi after the Parliament attack in 2001.
1999 Mock Drill During Kargil Conflict
In 1999, during the Kargil conflict between India and Pakistan, India conducted civil defence mock drills in several border states to enhance preparedness for potential wartime emergencies. These drills were part of a broader strategy to ensure civilian safety and readiness in the face of escalating tensions.
The drills were primarily conducted in border states such as Jammu & Kashmir (then a state), Punjab, and Rajasthan, which were considered vulnerable due to their proximity to the conflict zones. The exercise focused on training civilians in emergency response protocols, testing the effectiveness of evacuation procedures, and ensuring coordination among various emergency services.
The drills included simulations of air raids, establishment of emergency shelters, blackout exercises, and public awareness campaigns on safety measures during wartime.
1971 Mock Drill Amid India-Pakistan War
In 1971, amid the India-Pakistan India implemented extensive civil defence measures to prepare civilians potential aerial attacks and other wartime emergencies. These preparations were among the most comprehensive in the nation’s history and were designed to enhance public safety and readiness during a period of significant geopolitical uncertainty.
The exercise included blackout protocols in major cities including Mumbai, which underwent complete blackouts for 13 consecutive nights to prevent detection by enemy aircraft. The training also included air raid sirens, evacuation drills, camouflaging of vital installations including airports, refineries, and railway yards and training in first aid, firefighting, and shelter management to equip people with essential skills for wartime emergencies.
Which Other Countries Conducted Mock Drills Recently?
Taiwan: In March 2025, Taiwan conducted its first civil defence drill for large-scale disasters and potential attacks. The exercise involved approximately 1,500 participants and scenarios like tsunamis and explosions at critical infrastructure.
Japan: In November 2023, Tokyo held its first missile evacuation drill in years, where residents practised seeking shelter upon receiving missile alerts. This exercise aimed to educate the public on appropriate actions during missile threats.
Finland: Following its NATO accession and concerns over Russian aggression, Finland doubled its national defense training days, urging citizens to join shooting and survival courses. Shelters are available to accommodate 85 per cent of the population. Additionally, Finnish women are actively engaging in military survival courses to learn essential skills such as first aid and surviving without electricity, preparing for potential crises.
While mock drills in countries like Taiwan and Finland are widespread, in India, border states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat and Union Territory Jammu and Kashmir are among those that have been asked to carry out the drill.
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