JAMMU, OCT 23: Jammu and Kashmir has been included among 12 States and Union Territories selected for the first phase of a specialised Civil Defence training initiative being undertaken by the Ministry of Home Affairs in coordination with the Indian Army to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve response capabilities and build a modern, resilient Civil Defence network across the country.
The initiative follows the vision announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 2026, for developing a vibrant Civil Defence network equipped with modern systems, advanced technologies and contemporary preparedness capabilities to address emerging security challenges.
Under the programme, the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs, will coordinate specialised training for Civil Defence Master Trainers at designated Indian Army training establishments. In the first phase, 600 Master Trainers, including 50 from Jammu and Kashmir, are proposed to undergo a three-day specialised training programme by the second week of November 2026.
Besides Jammu and Kashmir, the participating States and UTs include Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
The training programme will focus on three major areas: threat awareness, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination. Participants will receive training on modern and hybrid warfare, drone awareness, air-raid threats, critical infrastructure protection, fire safety, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) awareness, casualty management, search and rescue operations, emergency communications, cyber hygiene, digital resilience, civil-military coordination and incident command.
For Jammu and Kashmir, the initiative will provide a structured framework to strengthen the preparedness of Civil Defence personnel and volunteers for emergencies requiring coordinated action, effective communication, rescue operations and protection of essential infrastructure. The programme also seeks to improve coordination between civilian responders and the Army by equipping Master Trainers with specialised knowledge and practical response skills.
A key component of the initiative is its multiplier training model. Following completion of the specialised course, each Master Trainer will train 100 Civil Defence Volunteers in their respective State or Union Territory. Under the proposed arrangement, the 600 Master Trainers could extend the training to 60,000 Civil Defence Volunteers across the 12 participating States and UTs, including volunteers in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme aims to establish a wider network of trained personnel capable of supporting emergency response, public safety measures, search and rescue operations and coordinated action during challenging situations.
The pilot initiative marks a step towards institutionalising civil-military cooperation in Civil Defence preparedness. Based on the outcomes of the first phase, the programme is envisaged to be extended to the remaining States and Union Territories in a phased manner, with the broader objective of building a responsive, coordinated and future-ready Civil Defence network across India.
