Civil Defence is an integral part of National Defence. It requires to be prepared during peace time for tackle any emergency/disaster. So this organisation can take any challenges during war/disaster situation. Enemy attack is designed (i) to dislocate the war production, (ii) to dislocate the life of the community, (iii) to shatter the morale of the people and (iv) to facilitate the operations of the hostile ground forces by causing panic and confusion in the rear of the defending armies. Civil Defence activity is aimed at negating these designs of the enemy attack. Civil Defence measures aim at minimizing the loss of life and damage to the property and maintaining the essential services, supplies and continuity of the production. This Civil Defence activity aims at maintaining the normalcy of the civil life during the war time. For this purpose, various types of training is given by Civil Defence to civil population during peace time.

In August 1937 Air Raid Precaution Committee was established. In October 1939 A.R.P. Wardens were enrolled for the 1st time in the city. In October 1941 the ARP was redesignated as Civil Defense. In December 1946 a committee under the chairmanship of Lord Irwin was established to decide future direction. In 1952 General Principles of Civil Defense Book was released.

In October, 1962 after Chinese aggression, the attitude and the approach of Government of India towards this vital aspect of National Defence has brought out a radical change. Govt. of India, was merely giving instructions to the States and the Union Territories conscious about need to plan and organize the Civil Defence measures and keep the Civil Defence plans ready on paper till November, 1962. However, after Chinese aggression, Govt. of India needs to take practical measures in this activity in a major way. After Indo-Pak war of 1965, Govt. of India gave further impetus on the subject on priority. In May, 1968 Civil Defence Act 1968 (Act XXVII of 1968) was passed by the parliament and enforced it from 10th July, 1968 all over India. Accordingly, Civil Defence activities started all over India. The Act includes, any measures not amounting to actual combat, for affording protection to any person, property, place or thing in India against any hostile attack. It also authorize Govt. to raise Civil Defence Corps and for making Rules and Regulations for Civil Defence Corps. This Act of the parliament, thus provides a legal status for Civil Defence. The responsibility of Civil Defence is thus, given to Ministry of Home Affairs at Central level and to Home Department at State level

The Civil Defence Act, 1968 has been amended as “ THE CIVIL DEFENCE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2009” on 22nd January, 2010. Accordingly, a new section 2 (d) included in the Act to include the definition of “disaster” which may be identical with the definition at Section 2 (d) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.