Sikkim and West Bengal Gear Up for Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7

KalimNews with inputs from Agencies | May 7, 2025 : The states of Sikkim and West Bengal are making comprehensive preparations to participate in the nationwide Civil Defence Exercise scheduled for May 7, 2025, as part of the Government of India's initiative to assess and enhance emergency response capabilities across the country. District administrations in both states have been mobilised, and coordination with police, health services, civil defence units, and educational institutions is underway to ensure smooth execution of the mock drills.

In West Bengal, the Category II districts participating in the drill include Cooch Behar, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, Malda, Paschim Bardhaman, Purba Medinipur, Alipurduar, Paschim Medinipur, Murshidabad, Dakshin Dinajpur, Uttar Dinajpur, Kalimpong, and Kolkata. The Category III districts are Bardhaman, Birbhum, Howrah, and Hooghly. In Sikkim, the capital district of Gangtok has been listed under Category II. The categorization reflects risk assessments and strategic importance, guiding the depth of civil defence protocols to be practiced during the exercise.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has identified 244 Civil Defence Districts across the country where the mock drills will be carried out. These drills are being implemented up to the village level to ensure grassroots participation. The exercise is designed to evaluate operational coordination and the effectiveness of civil defence infrastructure in responding to potential hostile threats or emergencies.

A key component of the drill includes testing the functionality of air raid warning systems, control rooms, and hotline/radio communication links with the Indian Air Force. Other critical activities include training civilians and students on protective civil defence measures, crash blackout protocols, early camouflaging of vital installations, and rehearsals of updated evacuation plans.

The drills are taking place under heightened security measures, especially after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 fatalities. In response, the Centre has stressed the importance of civil preparedness in light of the “new and complex threats” emerging from the current geopolitical scenario.

Participating states such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat are also holding simultaneous exercises. In all regions, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and other youth organisations have been activated to contribute to the civil defence response and community engagement.

The Centre has directed local administrations to ensure the drills proceed without causing public distress, while effectively simulating emergency conditions to test the systems in place. The Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with the National Health Authority, state disaster response forces, and other departments, is overseeing implementation.

Citizens are encouraged to cooperate fully with authorities during the drills, which are a vital part of building a secure, aware, and resilient society prepared to respond effectively to any crisis.

The Government of India has directed all states and Union Territories to conduct a comprehensive Civil Defence Exercise on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, in a strategic move to enhance preparedness amid evolving security threats. The Ministry of Home Affairs has categorized 244 districts across the country as Civil Defence Districts, where the nationwide mock drills will be carried out, extending down to the village level to ensure maximum coverage and effectiveness.

These exercises are intended to assess and strengthen the operational coordination and efficacy of various civil defence mechanisms. In light of the current geopolitical scenario, particularly following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, the Centre has underscored the urgency of reinforcing civilian and institutional readiness for potential hostile threats.

The mock drill will evaluate the readiness and responsiveness of several critical systems. These include the functionality of air raid warning systems, control rooms, and the operationalization of hotline and radio communication links with the Indian Air Force. Additionally, the exercise will include provisions for crash blackout measures and the early camouflaging of vital installations. An updated and rehearsed evacuation plan will also form a core part of the drill.

Training civilians, including students and members of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), is a key feature of the exercise. Participants will be instructed on protective actions during hostile scenarios, promoting public awareness and self-reliance during emergencies. The initiative aims to build a culture of preparedness that bridges institutional capabilities with community resilience.

The drills are being overseen by local authorities in conjunction with State Health Agencies, disaster response units, police, and educational institutions, ensuring an integrated approach to civil defence that includes public participation at its core.

In adherence to safety and community engagement principles, the exercises are designed to avoid public alarm while ensuring practical exposure to emergency protocols. Citizens have been advised to cooperate fully and treat the drills as part of a collective national effort to ensure a secure and resilient India.