News: Amidst heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued instructions to all states and UTs to conduct a Civil Defence Mock Drill on May 7, 2025. Civil Defence under the Civil Defence Act, 1968.
About Civil Defence
- Civil defence (or civil protection) refers to organized government efforts aimed at protecting civilians during emergencies—be it war, terrorism, natural disasters, or accidents.
- It involves key emergency operations such as: Prevention, Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Evacuation and Recovery
- In India, civil defence units are designed to protect people and infrastructure from hostile attacks or disasters.
- It is governed by the Civil Defence Act, 1968, later amended in 2009 to incorporate disaster management functions.
- It was initially developed under the Emergency Relief Organisation (ERO) during the 1962 Indo-China War and formalized after the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict.
- Civil defence responsibilities now cover: Traditional wartime roles, Natural and man-made disasters and assistance in emergencies before official agencies arrive
- Civil defence primarily relies on volunteers, with a minimal permanent staff nucleus. Volunteers come from various walks of life and undergo formal training.
- Though the Act applies nationwide, civil defence units are set up in strategically sensitive locations, especially areas prone to enemy attacks or hosting critical infrastructure.
- These include areas with: Nuclear plants, Refineries, Military bases and hydroelectric dams
- These drills are essential to: Enhance public awareness, train volunteers and residents in emergency protocols, evaluate coordination among civil and emergency services and ensure operational readiness of bunkers, sirens, and evacuation plans
