India conducted a nationwide civil defence exercise titled “Operation Abhyaas,” mobilizing millions of citizens across 244 districts in a coordinated effort to ready the population for potential emergencies amid escalating tensions with Pakistan.
The operation, organized by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with state governments and local administrations, aimed to simulate a wartime or high-alert scenario to test both civilian and institutional response capabilities.
Taking place over the course of a single day, Operation Abhyaas unfolded across major urban centers and rural districts in India alike, marking one of the largest peacetime civil defence drills in the country’s history. The name “Abhyaas,” meaning “practice” or “rehearsal” in Hindi, underscored the operation’s objective: to ensure that citizens, local authorities, emergency responders, and critical infrastructure units are not only aware of potential threats but are functionally capable of responding in a timely and coordinated manner.
The India operation featured a diverse array of activities. In many districts, air-raid sirens were activated to simulate incoming aerial threats. Blackout drills were also conducted, instructing households, institutions, and commercial buildings to shut off lights and electronic displays, mimicking protocols used during wartime to avoid detection from enemy reconnaissance or missile systems. In Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, a highly publicized 10-minute blackout was observed with near-total compliance, earning praise from civil defence officials for public cooperation.
Evacuation exercises were another central component of the operation. In cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, mock evacuations were carried out in schools, government offices, shopping malls, and hospitals. Metro services in several urban hubs were momentarily halted as emergency protocols were rehearsed. In some cases, simulated “incident zones” were created where rescue operations involving National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) units, fire departments, and local police were carried out in real-time, complete with first-aid administration, casualty triage, and communication drills.
At Delhi’s Connaught Place, a full-scale evacuation of office buildings took place just minutes after sirens sounded, with personnel guided to designated shelters by volunteers and emergency responders. Meanwhile, in Mumbai’s Andheri West neighborhood, community leaders worked with residents in high-rise apartment complexes to carry out stairwell evacuations and test fire safety equipment. Children in schools participated in duck-cover-and-hold drills, simulating protective measures during potential air raids or structural tremors.
The NDMA issued real-time updates through the “Suraksha Sahayak” app, which was specifically optimized for the drill. The app provided alerts, instructions, and location-specific guidance to users throughout the exercise. In several districts, this app also allowed citizens to report feedback, test emergency call features, and simulate distress signals—offering authorities valuable insights into both system functionality and user behavior.
One of the unique India aspects of Operation Abhyaas was the active involvement of Indian citizens in mock scenario planning. In several areas, residents volunteered as “casualties,” “first responders,” and “emergency communication nodes,” helping officials understand how information might flow in real-world crisis scenarios. In Lucknow and Pune, amateur radio operators were integrated into communication systems as backups in the event of digital or satellite failures—a nod to old-school resilience in an era dominated by digital infrastructure.
Officials emphasized that the drill was not a direct response to any imminent threat, but a necessary component of civil readiness in light of recent developments—including India’s launch of “Operation Sindoor,” which targeted alleged terror camps in Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. With the possibility of retaliatory actions or further escalation not entirely ruled out, authorities viewed Operation Abhyaas as a vital measure to strengthen grassroots preparedness and reinforce national psychological resilience.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking at a press briefing following the completion of the exercise, lauded the coordination between civilian agencies and defence-related units. He stated, “Operation Abhyaas is not just a rehearsal for emergencies; it is a national commitment to citizen safety. Preparedness saves lives, and today, India has demonstrated that we are not only capable militarily but also socially and logistically.” He added that the insights gathered from the drill would be used to further refine response protocols and improve infrastructure gaps exposed during the simulation.
