Civil Defence Network: MHA-Army pilot in 12 states/UTs
Why in the news
On 23 October 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a first-of-its-kind pilot, run with the Indian Army, to build a modern civil defence network across the country.
Key facts
- Implementing body: Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence & Home Guards (DGFSCDHG) under MHA, with training by the Army at its designated institutions.
- Phase 1: 12 states/UTs – Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Master trainers: 50 from each state/UT, or 600 in all, through a three-day special course.
- Cascade: each master trainer will train 100 volunteers, giving roughly 60,000 trained civil defence volunteers.
- Deadline: master trainer training to be finished by the second week of November 2026; other states/UTs to follow in phases based on pilot results.
Training modules
| Module | Topics |
|---|---|
| Threat awareness | Modern and hybrid warfare, drones, air attack threats |
| Protection and emergency response | Critical infrastructure protection, fire safety, CBRN awareness, casualty care, search and rescue |
| Communication and coordination | Emergency communication, cyber hygiene, digital resilience, civil-military coordination, incident command |
About the initiative
The pilot puts into action the vision of a vibrant civil defence network with modern technology and preparedness, set out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Red Fort speech on 15 August 2026.
Exam angle
- Numbers to remember: 12 states/UTs, 600 master trainers, about 60,000 volunteers.
- CBRN stands for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear threats.
- Civil defence falls under the Ministry of Home Affairs through DGFSCDHG.