India Launches Joint Army Training for Civil Defence Network

The Ministry of Home Affairs, in coordination with the Indian Army, launched a joint training initiative to establish a Vibrant Civil Defence network. The program focuses on enhancing preparedness for emerging threats, coordinated emergency response, and the protection of critical infrastructure.

In the first phase, 600 Civil Defence Master Trainers from 12 states and Union Territories, including Delhi, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu, will receive three-day specialized training at Indian Army establishments by the second week of November 2026. The curriculum includes drone awareness, cyber hygiene, CBRN awareness, and hybrid warfare.

Using a cascading mechanism, each master trainer will instruct 100 volunteers, extending these specialized skills to a total of 60,000 volunteers. This initiative implements a vision announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2026, to modernize the nation's civil defence capabilities to address contemporary security challenges.