The Ministry of Home Affairs is establishing a civil defence network of 60,000 trained volunteers across 12 states and Union territories in partnership with the Indian Army. This pilot project will train 600 master trainers who will subsequently educate local personnel to effectively handle contemporary security threats and emergencies. Based on the Prime Minister's vision, the initiative focuses on threat awareness, protection, and robust communication coordination to enhance national preparedness.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is establishing a civil defence network of 60,000 trained volunteers across 12 states and Union territories in partnership with the Indian Army. This pilot project will train 600 master trainers who will subsequently educate local personnel to effectively handle contemporary security threats and emergencies. Based on the Prime Minister's vision, the initiative focuses on threat awareness, protection, and robust communication coordination to enhance national preparedness.

The Ministry of Home Affairs is establishing a civil defence network of 60,000 trained volunteers across 12 states and Union territories in partnership with the Indian Army. This pilot project will train 600 master trainers who will subsequently educate local personnel to effectively handle contemporary security threats and emergencies. Based on the Prime Minister's vision, the initiative focuses on threat awareness, protection, and robust communication coordination to enhance national preparedness.

The home ministry is planning to establish a civil defence network comprising around 60,000 trained volunteers across 12 states and Union territories through a first-of-its-kind joint training initiative involving the Indian Army.

The pilot project will begin by training 600 civil defence master trainers, who will subsequently train volunteers in their respective states and Union territories to strengthen preparedness against security threats and emergencies.

According to the MHA, 50 master trainers from each participating state and UT will undergo a three-day specialised training programme at designated Indian Army training establishments by the second week of November 2026.

Each master trainer will then be responsible for training 100 civil defence volunteers, eventually creating a network of 60,000 trained personnel across the participating regions.

The training programme will focus on three key areas: threat awareness, protection and emergency response, and communication and coordination.

The initiative aims to equip civil defence personnel to respond effectively to contemporary security threats, hostile situations and emergencies.

The 12 participating states and Union Territories are Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, in which he outlined a vision for developing a vibrant civil defence network equipped with modern systems, technologies and capabilities to address emerging security challenges.

"In furtherance of this vision, the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards, Ministry of Home Affairs, is undertaking a first-of-its-kind pilot initiative to strengthen civil defence preparedness through specialised training of civil defence master trainers by the Indian Army," the ministry said.

The MHA said the programme is intended to strengthen civil defence preparedness by creating a network of trained volunteers capable of responding to emergencies and security challenges.

The pilot project will also establish a training structure through which Army-trained master trainers can pass on their knowledge to civil defence volunteers.

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