Strengthening Civil Defence: New Initiative for 12 States and UTs
New Initiative to Enhance Civil Defence Preparedness
File image of Assam Home Guards and Civil Defence personnel taking part in a march.(photo:@HardiSpeaks/X)
New Delhi, Oct 24: Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim are among 12 states and Union Territories chosen for a new initiative aimed at enhancing civil defence readiness, with the Indian Army set to train master trainers to establish a network of 60,000 volunteers.
The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that 600 civil defence master trainers, with 50 from each participating state and Union Territory, will participate in a three-day specialized training program at designated Army training facilities by the second week of November 2026.
This initiative marks a pioneering collaboration between the Home Ministry and the Army, designed to bolster the capabilities of civil defence personnel in responding to modern security threats, emergencies, and hostile situations.
The program aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision articulated during his Independence Day speech, which emphasized the need for a robust civil defence network equipped with advanced technology and preparedness strategies to tackle emerging security challenges.
The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards is overseeing this pilot initiative, which involves specialized training for master trainers by the Indian Army.
Training will encompass three key areas: threat awareness, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination.
After completing the program, each master trainer will be tasked with training 100 civil defence volunteers in their respective states or Union Territories.
The initiative aims to prepare approximately 60,000 volunteers across the 12 participating regions.
In addition to Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, the other participating states and Union Territories include Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
This program is designed to enhance civil defence readiness and improve coordination and emergency response capabilities in light of evolving security challenges.