Planning to travel on May 7, 2025? Think twice about these national mock drills across all 244 districts of India. View the mock drills, affected districts, and travelling tips for hassle-free travel.
India will host country-wide mock drills on May 7, 2025, as part of a civil defence preparedness exercise, triggering a travel alert for the people who will be traveling. Organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the mock drills will be held in every one of its 244 designated civil defence districts, simulating emergency scenarios like air raids, blackouts, and evacuations. If you plan to travel on this day, you should know how these drill rehearsals may impact your itinerary and in which districts they will occur. Everything you need to organize your trip securely through the drill rehearsals in India is here.
Mock drills are aimed at enhancing the readiness of the nation for a possible hostile attack under tensions with Pakistan following April 22 Pahalgam terror strike that took 26 lives. Although the mock drills are not an indicator of an imminent war, they can be the reason for temporary inconveniences like power cuts, traffic diversion, and restrictions on access to public areas. Let’s see into what exactly are these mock drills, the areas that will be covered, and how you can prepare for your journey on May 7, 2025.
What Are the Mock Drills on May 7, 2025?
The mock drills on May 7, 2025, are giant-scale exercises for testing India’s civil defense machinery. The MHA also says that the mock drills will simulate war-like situations in an effort to drill civilians, students, and authorities in their response. This is the first nationwide simulation since 1971, underscoring its significance in the current geopolitical scenario. Air raid sirens, blackout exercises, evacuation simulations, and camouflage of strategic installations like power plants and defense bases will be included in the mock drills.
Air raid warning sirens will be activated during the mock exercises to check the public alert system, and communication networks with the Indian Air Force will be checked. Civilian men, women, and children will be taught basic defense techniques such as seeking shelter and withdrawing to safety zones. Blackout exercises, where lights are turned off to mimic war situations, and traffic diversion in some areas will also be included in mock drills. The passengers must learn to tolerate these temporary disturbances while mock drills are conducted in 244 districts.
List of Affected Districts for the Mock Drills
The mock drills will be carried out in 244 civil defense districts in India, which are mainly strategically important or near borders. While a complete list isn’t fully accounted for in publicly released sources, some districts were verified through information shared and messages on X. Some of the affected districts and locations where the mock drills will be held are listed below:
- Border States: Jammu and Kashmir (Srinagar and Poonch), Punjab (Ferozepur, Chandigarh, and 20 others), Rajasthan (Barmer, Bikaner, Jaipur), West Bengal (Alipurduar, Coochbehar, Darjeeling, Siliguri), and the Northeast (Gangtok, Tawang, Itanagar).
- Major Cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Port Blair, Bengaluru, and Lucknow.
- North Bengal and Sikkim: Jalpaiguri, Kalimpong, Malda, Raiganj, Hashimara, and Kurseong.
- Other States: Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh.
Travelers are advised to check with local authorities or district administration for the full list, as the mock drills will extend to the village level in these 244 districts. Posts on X indicate that cities like Jaipur, Mumbai, and Chennai are included, so if your travel route passes through these areas, plan accordingly to avoid delays during the mock drills.
How Will the Mock Drills Impact Travel?
The May 7 mock drills can come with a few disruptions to tourists in India. This is what you can expect when the mock drills take place:
- Power Cuts and Blackouts: There will be periodic power cuts in certain locations as part of the simulation of blackouts. This can affect traffic lights, ATMs, and cellular communication, so be prepared with torches, candles, and ready money.
- Traffic Diversion: Roads can be diverted or closed, particularly around sensitive infrastructure such as airfields or dams. For example, in Punjab’s Ferozepur, traffic was asked to switch off lights during a practice drill.
- Public Access Restrictions: Certain public places, including markets or government offices, could have had limited access during the mock drills. In Delhi cities, police patrolling has been increased as part of the preparations.
- Air Raid Sirens and Noise: Loud sirens will be tested, which may cause confusion if you’re unaware of the mock drills. Stay calm, as these are part of the controlled exercise.
These disruptions are temporary, but they could delay your travel plans, especially if you’re in one of the 244 districts where the mock drills are scheduled. It’s best to stay informed and prepared to ensure a smooth journey.
Travel Tips on May 7 Mock Drills
In order to cause the least inconvenience to travellers during the mock drills, here are some tips for travellers:
- Check Your Route: Check if your route of travel passes through any of the 244 districts where mock drills are scheduled. Delhi, Mumbai, and border areas of Punjab and Rajasthan are likely to see more action.
- Stay Updated: Listen to local news, radio, or government channels to get updated information about the mock drills. Official notices will state what areas are impacted and when.
- Plan for Delays: Leave early to account for potential traffic diversion or road closure because of the mock drills. Carry extra water and snacks in case of delay.
- Be Prepared for Blackouts: Since the mock drills entail blackout procedures, keep a torch or power bank with you, especially when traveling overnight.
- Avoid Panic: The mock drills utilize very loud air raid sirens and are not a cause for panic. Keep calm and heed the instructions from the local authorities.
With sophisticated planning, you can conduct the mock drills with minimum inconvenience and notice that your travel timetables aren’t impacted negatively.
Why These Mock Drills?
The mock drills are a response to heightened tensions with Pakistan following the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has vowed to give a firm reply, and the MHA is taking a proactive approach to put civil defence on the anvil. Mock exercises are meant to ready civilians, test emergency arrangements, and highlight loopholes in readiness, most importantly in border states like Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan. While not an indicator of near war, mock exercises are a strategic move in enhancing national security.
The May 7, 2025, dry runs at 244 districts in India are an important advance toward civil defence readiness, though it can fall hard on visitors as temporary discomfort. From the ringing of air raid sirens to blackouts, the simulated emergencies will give a try at India’s national response system of disaster in city metros such as Delhi, Mumbai, and neighbouring border states Punjab and Rajasthan. If you are traveling on this day, remain vigilant, make arrangements for possible delays, and be careful to follow local advice to have a safe trip. Did you organize your travel keeping in mind the mock drills? Do share your opinions in the comments below!
