Mock Drill and Blackout: Why is the country preparing for war, what will happen during the Mock Drill?

Why India Is Conducting a Massive Nationwide Mock Drill on May 7: Tensions between India and Pakistan are at their peak after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. A nationwide civil defence mock drill is to be conducted in the country on May 7. Read the answers to many questions like what time the mock drill will take place, what will happen during it and when have such mock drills been conducted in the country...

After the Pahalgam terror attack, the relations between India and Pakistan have worsened even more than before. War-like conditions have arisen. The armies of both countries are ready. The Pakistani Army Chief is constantly adding fuel to the fire of tension with his statements.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has decided that a civil defence mock drill will be conducted on May 7, i.e. Wednesday. Such drills are conducted in case of war and emergency. During this, sirens are sounded to warn of air raids. People are trained to reach safe places following the blackout protocol.

You must be wondering why this is happening? Is war really going to happen? And when was the last time such a drill was conducted? What is a civil defense mock drill? What happens in it? No need to worry. Here we are answering such questions of yours.

For the first time such a mock drill was conducted in the country during the 1971 war, when the war between India and Pakistan started.

What will happen on May 7?

On May 7, 2025, mock drills will be conducted in officially designated districts and departments in the country. For this, instructions have been given to the states and union territories to conduct and inspect civil defense mock drills.

Who will be involved in the mock drill?

It will include local administration, civil defence wardens, home guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members and students of schools and colleges.

How will the mock drill be conducted?

A high-level meeting was held in Delhi today regarding the civil defence mock drill, in which many senior officers including the Chief Secretaries of the states and the Army Chief were present. The Home Ministry has identified some districts of the country (civil defence districts) for drills on methods of rescue during war. Civil defence districts have been divided into three categories based on sensitivity.

Category-1 Most sensitive

Category-2 Sensitive

Category-3 Less sensitive

Mock drill: Read step-by-step here…

Air raid siren

During the mock drill, air strike/air raid warning sirens (Air Raid Sirens) will be played. In case of emergency, these alarm systems alert people about air attack so that people can reach a safe place.

Training of citizens

Workshops will be organized for the general public in schools, offices and community centers. Here they will be taught what to do during an attack. Such as - 'drop and cover' technique (bend and hide and close your ears), finding the nearest shelter, giving first aid and staying calm during stress.

Crash blackout

Sudden blackout practice will be done in the country. In this, the lights will be cut off. All lighting equipment will be turned off so that the enemy can be saved during an air attack. Crash blackout was widely followed during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.

Camouflage Exercise

Camouflage exercises mean that strategic buildings and establishments like military bases, Parliament, communication towers and power plants will be covered (camouflaged) in such a way that they cannot be identified during satellite or aerial surveillance.

Evacuation Drills

Evacuation Drills means that the officers will practice taking people from high risk areas to safe areas. Evacuation drills will help in smoothening the operations by identifying all the possible problems in an emergency.

Why was there a need for mock drills?

On April 22, there was a terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In this, 26 tourists died and many were injured. Since then, tension between India and Pakistan is continuously increasing. Pakistan is continuously firing on the LoC. Both countries are standing on the brink of war.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the three army chiefs in the last seven days and discussed the preparations and possible action plan. PM Modi had said that the conspirators will get a bigger punishment than they think.

After this, the mock drill is a sign of a strategic change by the Indian government, in which military preparedness as well as civilian preparedness will be seen.

Now let us tell you what is a blackout exercise or mock drill...

What is a mock drill?

Civil Defence Mock Drill is a kind of practice, in which it is seen that if there is ever an emergency like air attack or bomb attack, then how and how quickly the common people and the administration react.

Its purpose is to reduce panic during emergency, prevent chaos from spreading and save lives. Mock drill is conducted under the Civil Defence Rules, 1968.

What is a blackout exercise?

Blackout means that the lights of the entire area are switched off for a fixed time. Its purpose is to show that if an enemy country attacks India, how the entire area can be kept safe in the dark. Actually, it is difficult to aim in the dark.

What will be emphasized in the mock drill?

Sounding the siren warning of air strike.

Training the common people to protect themselves during the attack.

Blackout during the mock drill.

Hiding important factories and bases including airbases and oil refineries during the attack.
Training the common people to evacuate the place and taking them to a safe place.

The team helping the people, firefighters and rescue operations will be managed.
In case of emergency, the working of control room and assistant control room will be reviewed.

Checking the alertness of air raid warning system.

Connecting hotline and radio communication with the Air Force.

What will happen after the mock drill?

When the mock drill is over, the states and union territories participating in the drill will have to submit an Action Taken Report. This report will contain details of action, execution, findings and areas of improvement.

Ferozepur set an example

Before the nationwide mock drill, such practice has been done in some areas. On Sunday night, blackout practice was done in Ferozepur Cantonment of Punjab. Ferozepur is adjacent to the India-Pakistan border, there was a blackout here from 9 to 9:30 pm. Hooters kept sounding continuously for about 30 minutes.

What actions did India take after the Pahalgam attack?

23 April, 2025

India suspended the Indus Water Treaty of 1960.

Attari Wagah border checkpost was immediately closed.

Visas of all Pakistani citizens were canceled with immediate effect.

Pakistanis living in India were sent back.

India ordered the closure of the Pakistani High Commission.

26 April, 2025

Houses of terrorists associated with the Pahalgam attack were demolished.

30 April, 2025

16 Pakistani YouTube channels and dozens of x handles and sites were banned.

1 May, 2025

India closed Indian airspace for Pakistani planes till 23 May 2025.

2 May, 2025

India asked the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to review the loan given to Pakistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, four cricketers' official YouTube channel and Instagram accounts blocked.

3 May 2025

India banned direct and indirect imports from Pakistan.

4 May 2025

 India closed all the gates of Baglihar Dam and stopped the water of Chenab River.