Govt To Introduce Firefighting, Disaster And Crisis Management Courses In Schools, Colleges

Last Updated:March 10, 2026, 08:24 IST

Officials believe this initiative could prove to be one of the most impactful public safety decisions in recent memory.

To transform and reshape India’s emergency preparedness landscape, the government is all set to introduce dedicated courses in firefighting, crisis management, and disaster response across schools and colleges nationwide.

Officials aware about the development said that the idea was initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a high-level meeting.

Officials believe this initiative could prove to be one of the most impactful public safety decisions in recent memory.

While the decision to introduce these courses was taken well before the outbreak of the Israel-US-Iran conflict, the escalating global security situation has significantly accelerated the pace of implementation. Officials acknowledge that the unfolding geopolitical crisis served as a stark reminder of how quickly civilian infrastructure can come under stress, prompting authorities to fast-track the rollout of the programme across educational institutions.

This would be first time when millions of students will receive structured training in handling emergencies from containing small fires to managing large-scale disasters.

“In a country frequently battered by floods, earthquakes, industrial accidents, and urban fires, military escalations, war, etc., having a trained civilian population could mean the difference between life and death in the critical minutes before professional help arrives," an official said on the condition of anonymity.

This will be done with the help of forces so that all can have learnings from professionals.

While primarily designed for natural disasters and industrial emergencies, senior officials handling the project point out that these courses will prove equally invaluable in the event of a war or armed conflict. Trained students and citizens will be getting training to provide immediate first aid to victims during the critical golden hour before medical help arrives.

With plan to add basic hazmat awareness also forming part of the curriculum, citizens will be better prepared to respond to chemical or toxic threats increasingly associated with modern warfare.

Israel’s long-standing policy of mandatory civil defence training for its civilian population is widely credited with saving countless lives during repeated conflicts and India, by fast-tracking this initiative amid rising global tensions, appears to be drawing from that very playbook. In times of war, every trained citizen becomes a critical asset to the nation.

Beyond individual emergencies, the initiative will create a vast pool of semi-trained volunteers who can support overstretched fire brigades and disaster management teams during large-scale crises. It will also foster a culture of safety, discipline, and civic responsibility among the youth.

News india Govt To Introduce Firefighting, Disaster And Crisis Management Courses In Schools, Colleges

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