MHA to build 60,000-strong civil defence network in 12 states, UTs

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Oct 24, 2026: The Union Home Ministry will launch a pilot project to build a civil defence network of around 60,000 volunteers across 12 states and Union Territories, with specialised training by the Indian Army.

According to a ministry statement, the initiative will begin with a three-day specialised training programme for civil defence master trainers from the participating states and UTs.

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

As part of the initiative, the Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards under the Ministry of Home Affairs will collaborate with the Indian Army to strengthen civil defence preparedness through specialised training.

A total of 600 master trainers, comprising 50 from each participating state and UT, will undergo the three-day training programme at designated Indian Army training establishments. The training is scheduled to be completed by the second week of November 2026.

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

The programme aims to improve the ability of civil defence personnel to respond effectively to contemporary security threats, hostile situations and emergencies.

The training will cover three key areas: threat awareness; protection and emergency response; and communication and coordination.

Following the training, each master trainer will be responsible for training 100 civil defence volunteers in their respective state or Union Territory, taking the planned network to approximately 60,000 volunteers.