Indian Army to train 600 instructors for civil defence initiative

The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs and the Indian Army have launched a joint pilot programme to strengthen national preparedness against emerging security threats. The initiative aims to train 600 Civil Defence Master Trainers, who will subsequently prepare 60,000 volunteers across 12 states and Union Territories.

The training, scheduled for completion by the second week of November 2026, will take place at designated Indian Army establishments. The curriculum focuses on three core pillars: threat awareness (including hybrid warfare and drone threats), protection and emergency response (covering CBRN awareness, fire safety, and search and rescue), and communication and coordination (including cyber hygiene and civil-military coordination).

The participating jurisdictions include Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. This programme aligns with a vision for a modern civil defence framework outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2026.