Mock Drills in India on May 7: How to Enable Emergency Alerts on Your Smartphone
How to Enable Emergency Alerts on Your Smartphone
India is preparing for a significant civil defence exercise on May 7, marking a pivotal step toward national readiness in handling complex emergencies. The upcoming nationwide mock drill, likely to include India’s first test of a 5G-powered Cell Broadcast Alert System, will involve millions of smartphone users potentially receiving loud emergency alerts, even if their phones are in silent or Do Not Disturb mode.
This initiative, driven by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and supported by technological collaborations, aims to assess the responsiveness of both the authorities and the general public in times of national threats, disasters, or emergencies. Here’s everything you need to know about the drill, the technology behind it, and how you can enable emergency alerts on your smartphone.
Why Is This Mock Drill Being Conducted?
The decision to conduct such an extensive drill arises from the growing need to strengthen emergency communication systems in India amid evolving security challenges. The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, and Pakistan’s “Exercise INDUS” missile drills, have heightened India’s security sensitivity.
In response, the MHA, in coordination with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is organizing this mock drill across 244 civil defence districts. The exercise is intended to simulate a real-time emergency scenario to test preparedness, public response, and the effectiveness of new communication technologies.
What Makes This Alert System Different?
Unlike traditional SMS-based alerts, India is set to employ its first large-scale use of 5G-powered Cell Broadcast technology during the drill. This system was developed by C-DOT (Centre for Development of Telematics), a premier Indian R&D body under the DoT.
Key Features of the Cell Broadcast Emergency Alert System:
- Congestion-Proof Messaging: Unlike SMS, Cell Broadcast messages are not delayed due to network congestion and can reach millions simultaneously.
- Bypasses Do Not Disturb (DND): The alerts override silent or DND modes to ensure delivery.
- Multilingual Support: Messages can be sent in multiple Indian languages to cater to the linguistic diversity across regions.
- Geo-Targeted Alerts: Messages can be directed to specific districts or states without needing mobile numbers.
- Compatibility with 4G & 5G: The system works on a wide range of mobile networks, not limited to 5G alone.
This system is already used in countries like the USA (Wireless Emergency Alerts), Japan, and the European Union, and now India is aligning with global best practices.
What Will the Alerts Look Like?
Users participating in the drill may receive full-screen notifications accompanied by a loud alarm sound. These alerts are designed to grab attention instantly, even if a person is watching a video, in a meeting, or asleep.
Types of alerts expected:
- Extreme Threats (natural disasters, terrorist attacks)
- Severe Threats (floods, earthquakes, major accidents)
- Public Safety Messages (evacuation instructions, shelter information)
These alerts will serve a critical role in saving lives by providing timely instructions during real emergencies.
How to Enable Emergency Alerts on Your Smartphone
To ensure you receive the alerts during the May 7 mock drill (and in future emergencies), it is crucial to check that emergency notifications are enabled on your device. Here’s how:
For Android Devices (Android 11 and above):
- Open the Settings app.
- Navigate to Safety & Emergency or search for Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Tap on Wireless Emergency Alerts.
- Ensure the following are enabled:
- Extreme threats
- Severe threats
- Public safety alerts
- Additionally, enable:
- Allow Alerts
- Alert Sound
- Override Do Not Disturb
Note: The menu names may vary slightly depending on your smartphone brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, OnePlus, etc.).
For iPhones (iOS 17 and above):
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on Notifications.
- Scroll to the bottom of the screen to Government Alerts.
- Toggle ON the following:
- Emergency Alerts
- Public Safety Alerts
These steps ensure that your device is prepared to receive alerts when broadcasted, even during a power outage, internet downtime, or mobile data loss.
Why Should Every Indian Enable These Alerts?
Emergencies can strike without warning—whether natural disasters like earthquakes and cyclones or human-induced crises like chemical spills or security threats. Having a reliable, instant communication channel between the government and citizens is essential.
Cell Broadcast Alerts not only bridge this gap but also empower individuals to take timely actions such as evacuating, seeking shelter, or avoiding certain areas. Participation in this May 7 drill by enabling alerts is a small but powerful act of civic responsibility.
Explore:
- India’s Nationwide Civil Defence Mock Drill 2025
- Civil Defence Mock Drills Across India on May 7: MHA Boosts Civilian Preparedness Amid Security Concerns
Final Thoughts
India’s mock drill on May 7 is more than a test—it’s a milestone in the evolution of national emergency preparedness. By harnessing next-generation alert systems, India is taking a proactive stance in protecting its citizens.
Smartphone users are encouraged to enable emergency alerts on their devices and stay informed during the mock drill. While it may be just a test now, being alert and responsive could one day make the difference between chaos and safety during a real crisis.
