On 23 October 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) announced a joint initiative with the Indian Army to develop a nationwide Civil Defence network. The pilot aims to train 60,000 volunteers in 12 states and Union Territories (UTs), with expansion to other jurisdictions planned after assessment of the pilot.
Civil Defence in India
Civil Defence consists of measures to protect people and property and manage the effects of hostile attacks and emergencies. The Civil Defence Act, 1968 provides the statutory framework for civil defence measures in India. The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, under the MHA, is undertaking the pilot in coordination with the Indian Army. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the vision for a robust, responsive and future-ready Civil Defence network in his Independence Day speech on 15 August 2026. The initiative covers preparedness for contemporary security threats, hostile situations and emergencies.
Pilot Design and Training
The 12 participating states and UTs are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The first phase will train 600 Civil Defence Master Trainers, with 50 selected from each participating jurisdiction. The trainers will attend a three-day specialised course at designated Indian Army training establishments by the second week of November 2026. Each master trainer will then train 100 volunteers in their respective state or UT, forming a cascading training model for the target of 60,000 volunteers.
Training Curriculum and Coordination
The curriculum covers threat awareness, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination. Threat awareness includes modern and hybrid warfare, drone threats and air raids. Protection and response topics include critical infrastructure protection, fire safety, CBRN awareness, casualty management, and search and rescue. Communication and coordination training includes emergency communication, cyber hygiene, digital resilience, civil-military coordination and incident command. CBRN refers to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards.
Important Facts for Exams
:
- The Civil Defence Act, 1968 is the principal legislation governing civil defence in India.
- CBRN is an abbreviation for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear.
- The pilot covers 12 states and Union Territories and plans to train 60,000 volunteers.
- The first phase provides for 600 master trainers, with 50 trainers from each participating jurisdiction.
The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards is conducting the pilot with the Indian Army. Expansion to other states and UTs is planned based on the pilot’s outcomes.
