Operation Abhyaas: India's Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7, 2025
Full overview of India's Operation Abhyaas, the nationwide civil defence mock drill conducted on May 7, 2025, across 244 districts.
Operation Abhyaas: India’s Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7, 2025
In response to escalating tensions and emerging threats, India conducted a comprehensive civil defence mock drill, codenamed Operation Abhyaas, on May 7, 2025. This large-scale exercise spanned 244 districts across the nation, aiming to bolster emergency preparedness and public awareness.
Table of Contents
- Operation Abhyaas: India’s Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7, 2025
Background: The Catalyst for Operation Abhyaas
The impetus for Operation Abhyaas was the tragic Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives. This incident heightened concerns over national security, prompting the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to initiate a nationwide drill to assess and enhance civil defence mechanisms.
Objectives of the Drill
Operation Abhyaas was designed with multiple objectives:
- Testing Air Raid Warning Systems: Ensuring the functionality and reach of sirens to alert the public promptly.
- Simulating Blackouts: Implementing controlled power outages to prepare for potential wartime scenarios.
- Evacuation Drills: Training civilians in orderly evacuation procedures.
- Communication Checks: Verifying the operational readiness of control rooms and communication links, including coordination with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Public Training: Educating citizens on civil defence protocols and self-protection measures.
Nationwide Participation
The drill witnessed participation from various sectors:
- Civil Defence Volunteers: Including Home Guards, National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), and Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS) members.
- Educational Institutions: Schools and colleges conducted evacuation drills and awareness sessions.
- Emergency Services: Fire departments, medical teams, and police forces collaborated to simulate realistic emergency responses.
Maharashtra: A Closer Look
Maharashtra played a pivotal role in Operation Abhyaas, with drills conducted in multiple cities categorized based on sensitivity:
Category I: Highly Sensitive Areas
- Mumbai: As the financial capital, it underwent extensive drills, including blackout simulations and evacuation exercises.
- Uran: Home to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), it focused on port security measures.
- Tarapur: With its nuclear facility, the area emphasized radiation emergency protocols.
Category II: Major Urban Centers
- Pune
- Nashik
- Thane
- Sinnar
- Thal Vaishet
- Pimpri-Chinchwad
These cities conducted comprehensive drills, focusing on urban emergency scenarios.
Category III: Other Participating Cities
- Aurangabad
- Bhusawal
- Raigad
- Ratnagiri
- Sindhudurg
These regions emphasized community engagement and rural preparedness.
Highlights from Other States
Delhi
- Blackout Drill: A 15-minute power outage from 8:00 PM to 8:15 PM in the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) area tested the city’s readiness.
- Evacuation Exercises: Conducted in Khan Market, Chandni Chowk, and other key locations.
Uttar Pradesh
- Prayagraj: Schools participated in evacuation drills.
- Noida: The Botanical Garden Metro Station hosted a joint drill by police and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
Bihar
- Patna: Government buildings, including the Raj Bhawan, underwent blackout simulations.
Assam
- Drills were conducted in 18 locations across 14 civil defence districts, focusing on rescue operations and time-bound responses.
Odisha
- 12 districts, including Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, and Rourkela, participated in the mock drills.
West Bengal
- Kolkata: Schools like DPS-Ruby Park and La Martiniere conducted evacuation drills.
Telangana
- Hyderabad: Drills were held in areas like Secunderabad, Golconda Fort, and Kanchan Bagh, involving multiple emergency services.
Public Response and Awareness
The public largely responded positively, recognizing the importance of preparedness. Educational campaigns and community involvement played crucial roles in ensuring the drills’ success.
Why Was Operation Abhyaas Necessary?
In the ever-evolving landscape of global and regional security, mock drills like Operation Abhyaas are not just precautionary—they’re vital. India, with its diverse geography and dense urban populations, faces a wide array of potential threats ranging from natural disasters to terrorist activities and even wartime scenarios. The country’s expanding infrastructure, strategic installations, and critical public zones demand robust preparedness.
Operation Abhyaas served multiple critical functions:
- Strengthening public readiness in case of sudden emergencies, especially in sensitive areas like metros and coastal regions.
- Testing blackout protocols in urban and administrative zones to mimic real-world wartime threats or strategic power failures.
- Evaluating the responsiveness of emergency services, civil defence forces, and volunteers under pressure.
- Educating and involving the public in practical, hands-on drills to reinforce self-safety habits.
With geopolitical tensions rising and urban centres becoming high-risk targets, Operation Abhyaas showcased the nation’s capability to activate a coordinated civil defence mechanism swiftly and effectively.
The Attacks That Triggered the Nationwide Mock Drill
The catalyst for Operation Abhyaas was a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, 2025. Militants ambushed a convoy carrying pilgrims and security personnel, resulting in 26 fatalities and many injuries. This brazen attack not only shocked the nation but also exposed vulnerabilities in soft-target protection and emergency response.
But this wasn’t an isolated incident. Over the past few years, India has witnessed a series of coordinated and sporadic attacks, including:
- Targeted assaults in urban areas like Srinagar, Nagrota, and Pulwama.
- Cross-border threats and infiltration attempts along the Line of Control.
- Drone incursions and cyber attacks aimed at critical infrastructure.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for a proactive, all-India civil defence strategy. The government recognized that preparedness should not be reactive, but ongoing and nationwide. By simulating large-scale emergency scenarios in real time, Operation Abhyaas aimed to ensure that both the systems and citizens are battle-ready—not just in the military sense, but in terms of resilience and response.
Was Operation Abhyaas Successful?
Yes, Operation Abhyaas, the nationwide civil defence mock drill conducted on May 7, 2025, was deemed a success across India. The exercise was executed in all 244 designated civil defence districts, encompassing major metropolitan areas, strategic installations, and vulnerable regions .(The Indian Express, Wikipedia)
In Delhi, the drill was conducted at 55 locations, including Connaught Place, Khan Market, and Chandni Chowk. The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), along with civil defence volunteers, NCC, NSS, and NYKS, facilitated the drills across the city. The Directorate of Education instructed schools to submit detailed reports with photos, aiming to build a lasting culture of safety and civic responsibility among students .(mint, The Times of India)
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) conducted a mock drill as part of the nationwide exercise. Civil Defence Services, NDRF, and Mumbai Fire Brigade personnel participated, demonstrating swift and coordinated responses .(mint, Hindustan Times)
In Hyderabad, a large-scale mock drill titled Operation Abhyaas was conducted under the aegis of the Central Government and the Police Department. The drill aimed at testing emergency preparedness and raising public awareness .(Masood Azhar Family Strikes)
Furthermore, in Himachal Pradesh, a post-drill briefing was held at Bachat Bhawan, where feedback was shared by officers and personnel from the army, police, SDRF, Home Guard, and Civil Defence, contributing to the evaluation of the day’s exercises and helping improve future preparedness .(The Tribune)
Overall, the successful execution of Operation Abhyaas across various states and districts underscores India’s commitment to enhancing civil defence preparedness and ensuring public safety in the face of emerging threats.(Hindustan Times)
🧭 Conclusion: A Nation Gearing Up for Tomorrow’s Threats
Operation Abhyaas 2025 wasn’t just a mock drill—it was a critical step in India’s preparedness strategy, executed with a strong sense of urgency, coordination, and public engagement. Initiated across 244 civil defence districts, including major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and states like Himachal Pradesh, this large-scale simulation gave us a clear snapshot of India’s disaster and terror-response readiness.
The need for this drill arose from a surge in global and regional terror threats, the rise of drone warfare, chemical and biological attack concerns, and cyber vulnerabilities—all of which have become part of modern asymmetric warfare. Recent global incidents and threats from hostile neighbouring forces made it imperative to strengthen civil infrastructure, empower local administration, and train civilians for emergencies.
And when we ask: “Was Operation Abhyaas successful?” — the answer is a resounding yes. From school participation to real-time evacuations in crowded markets and railway stations, the mock drill received praise for its speed, discipline, and public cooperation. Whether it was Connaught Place in Delhi clearing out in minutes or Mumbai’s CST demonstrating agile responsiveness, the country proved it can come together when it matters most.
Through its execution, Operation Abhyaas showcased the strength of India’s inter-agency collaboration—from the NDRF, SDRF, Police, Army, Civil Defence, NCC/NSS/NYKS volunteers, to even educational institutions. The public awareness component was just as vital, ensuring that preparedness becomes a shared responsibility, not just a government mandate.
In conclusion, Operation Abhyaas 2025 wasn’t a one-time event—it was a wake-up call, a test of resilience, and most importantly, a step toward making every citizen a stakeholder in national security. As threats evolve, so must our responses—and with initiatives like these, India shows that it’s not just prepared for the future—it’s building it, one drill at a time.