Nationwide Blackout Rehearsal: On May 7, 2025, India will see a massive civil defence mock drill across 244 districts chosen by the government. The Ministry of Home Affairs asked all states and union territories to take part and manage the drill. The plan is to check how ready people are during an emergency, like in case of war or air attacks. This will be a very big rehearsal, where students, volunteers, police, and many other groups will join. They will try to act like a real emergency is happening, so they can learn how to stay safe if something bad actually takes place.
The idea of doing this drill is not new. During the Cold War, countries used to do these kinds of practice drills to stay ready in case of surprise attacks. Now, with growing tensions between India and Pakistan, the government has brought this plan back. The decision came just days after a terrible terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22. In that attack, 26 Indian tourists were killed. Reports say that the attack was planned by groups based in Pakistan.
Terrorist Hideout Busted in Poonch: Security Forces Recover IEDs
Since then, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had many important meetings with his top security team. He said, “We will hunt down the perpetrators and conspirators and bring them to justice in a manner that goes beyond their imagination” reports ET
Nationwide Blackout Rehearsal: What Will Happen During the Drill?
Many activities will take place during the rehearsal like:
Sirens
Sirens will ring out in cities to warn people of fake air raids. These sirens are important because they give people a few seconds to hide or find a safe place. Lights in cities will be turned off suddenly at night to make it look like a blackout. This is done to stop enemy planes or missiles from seeing the city lights. Something like this was done before during the 1971 war with Pakistan when India helped in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Training people
People will be taught how to stay safe during these kinds of events. In schools, offices, and local halls, trainers will show simple things like how to stay calm, how to find shelter, how to protect your head and body, and how to give first aid. Young people from schools, colleges, the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) will also join these training sessions.
Camouflage
Important buildings like military camps, power stations, and towers will be covered or hidden using special techniques. This is called camouflage, and it helps in confusing the enemy’s surveillance. At the same time, emergency teams will practice how to move people out of dangerous areas. This part is very serious because in real life, quick and smooth evacuation can save many lives. Officers will carefully check how fast they can shift people and whether any problems come up during the process.
CRPF Jawan Dismissed After Marrying Pakistani Woman Despite Prior Permission?
The Home Ministry sent out a letter on May 2 to make this drill happen. The letter said this drill is being done under the Civil Defence Rules made in 1968. The government had already talked about making people more prepared during a big meeting called ‘Chintan Shivir’ in October 2022. Back then, leaders said that civil defence must get stronger, especially in border and coastal places. Later in January 2023, the Union Home Secretary also wrote to all states and UTs, asking them to work on this.
Even before the May 7 event, some places have already started their own practice. On Sunday evening, Ferozepur Cantonment in Punjab did a blackout drill for 30 minutes. This place is very close to the India-Pakistan border, so it is a high-risk area. What they did there gives a little idea of what people in the rest of the country will experience during the big drill.
Many groups will be part of the exercise. Local district officers will make sure everything runs properly. Civil Defence wardens and Home Guards will be doing most of the actual fieldwork. Students, NSS volunteers, NYKS youth, and NCC cadets will help with training and pretend scenarios. Once the rehearsal is done, every state and union territory must send a report. This will explain what they did, how it went, and what needs to be better.
