The April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, has ignited the whole nation's outrage. With this act of cowardice, tensions between India and Pakistan have increased, placing both nations at the brink of war. In light of the delicate situation, India's armed forces and security agencies have been placed on alert.
To prepare the public in advance, all states and union territories have been instructed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to conduct mock drills in public places on May 7, 2025. This is a national-level exercise to prepare the nation for any crisis situation, such as potential threats during wartime.
What is a Mock Drill
A mock drill is an organized practice intended to test readiness in the event of an emergency or disaster situation, such as war, a terrorist attack, or a natural catastrophe. Mock drills simulate real circumstances—sometimes using mock fires, simulated attacks, or earthquakes—to observe people's responses and how efficiently rescue operations can be carried out by emergency services.
Understanding the necessity of mock drills
With the current political tensions between India and Pakistan similar to a war scenario, preparedness is needed. Mock drills help identify loopholes in emergency response systems and measure the effectiveness of available rescue mechanisms. They also test the efficacy of rescue units, emergency tools, and public awareness so that when an emergency arises, lives are saved with minimal commotion.
How are mock drills executed?
A mock drill will typically begin with a siren or warning alert — in a mock emergency, say a fire, bomb scare, or earthquake. The emergency teams, like the fire department, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and medical staff, will immediately move in. The focus is to take the people to safety and resolve the situation as quickly as possible. The exercise is then simulated to determine shortcomings or weak spots.
Example: How it works
Mock drills are a standard practice at schools. Upon alarm, students crouch beneath their desks and are then escorted out safely according to a pre-planned procedure. Offices also practice exit routines through fire drills. At public facilities like malls or railway terminals, mock drills can simulate acts of terrorism, where teams practice neutralization of threats and civilian evacuation.
History of India's mock drills
India's previous large-scale mock rehearsals were conducted in the 1971 war with Pakistan. Now, after 54 years, as a precautionary measure for the sake of public security and enhancing preparedness for emergencies because of growing cross-border tensions, the Indian government once more directed nationwide mock drills.