The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the second phase of the nationwide Civil Defence mock drill, Operation Shield, will be conducted on May 31, 2025. This large-scale exercise will take place in all districts along India’s western border, including Jammu and Kashmir. The drill aims to improve emergency response and preparedness against possible threats or attacks from across the border. It will be carried out under Section 19 of the Civil Defence Rules, 1968, and coordinated by the Additional Director General of Civil Defence.

What will happen

This drill comes after the first exercise on May 7, which revealed weaknesses in emergency planning in high-risk areas.Operation Shield will build on those findings by simulating various emergencies. The exercise will involve calling back civil defence volunteers both openly and discreetly, simulating enemy air attacks using planes, drones, and missiles, and checking the communication lines between the Indian Air Force and Civil Defence Control Rooms.The drill is intended to ensure that all teams are well-prepared and can respond quickly and effectively during a real crisis.

What will it include?

As part of Operation Shield, the exercise will also check how well centrally controlled air raid sirens work and carry out blackout procedures in civilian areas, where all lights are turned off to avoid detection during an attack. The drill will include mock drone attacks on military bases and evacuation exercises, such as moving 20 fake injured people from danger zones. It will also test how well mass casualty situations are handled, with arrangements made for 30 units of blood and trained medical teams on standby.

Who will take part?

The Indian Army has asked for Border Wing Home Guards to be deployed right away to support army units as part of a wider Rear Area Security Plan. There will also be drills to test how quickly troops can be moved in and out of operational areas, checking the speed and coordination of military transport and planning.

All districts involved have been told to begin the drill at 5:00 PM on May 31 in coordination with local authorities. Youth groups like the National Cadet Corps (NCC), National Service Scheme (NSS), Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS), and the Bharat Scouts & Guides will also join the exercise. After the drill, each district will send a report to review how things went and suggest ways to improve for the future.

The order regarding Operation Shield has been shared with senior officials, including the Union Home Secretary, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and the Chief Secretaries and Administrators of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, and Chandigarh. These officials have been given the responsibility to make sure the drill is properly planned and carried out in their respective areas.

 Reason behind the postponement

The exercise, initially set for May 29, was delayed to May 31 due to administrative issues. However, the main goal remains the same, to strengthen national preparedness through joint drills involving both civil and military forces.