**Executive Summary**
On March 20, 2026, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) hosted a national sensitization workshop in New Delhi to address preparedness gaps identified during previous "Vishanu Yudh Abhyas" and "Viral Sankraman Abhyas" mock drills. The workshop aimed to facilitate a structured, time-bound approach to strengthen India’s One Health framework through inter-sectoral coordination and integrated surveillance. Key action items include institutionalizing regular simulation exercises and enhancing the BSL-3 laboratory ecosystem to manage future zoonotic threats.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Workshop Objectives and Context**
* **Purpose:** To sensitize stakeholders on lessons learned from national-level mock drills and address identified gaps in operational readiness.
* **Foundation:** The workshop follows the recommendations of the 4th Scientific Steering Committee on One Health and results from drills conducted in August 2024 and November 2025.
* **Scope:** Focused on inter-sectoral coordination, laboratory response systems, biosafety, biosecurity, and emergency communication protocols.
**One Health Strategic Priorities**
* **Integrated Framework:** Emphasis on a unified approach merging veterinary sciences, human health, and environmental science to address the 60–70% of emerging infectious diseases that are zoonotic.
* **Whole-of-Government Approach:** Requirement for coordinated action across multiple Ministries, Departments, and States to manage emerging health threats.
* **Infrastructure Enhancement:** Strengthening the BSL-3 laboratory ecosystem and integrated surveillance networks.
* **Governance and Policy:** Improving governance frameworks and leveraging science and technology for data-driven, predictive, and responsive systems.
**Operational Exercises**
* **Simulation Exercises:** The event featured a Table Top Exercise titled “Sankraman Pratirodh Abhyas (SPA)” and a simulation exercise titled “Ex Kitanu Sankraman – Vaishvik Suraksha: Swadhyay se Abhyas Tak.”
* **Stress Testing:** Reiteration that mock drills serve as vital "stress tests" to ensure operational readiness before actual health emergencies occur.
**Key Points for Future Readiness**
* **Capacity Building:** Ongoing investment in targeted training and awareness at all levels.
* **Centre-State Coordination:** Enhancing the synergy between federal and state-level health and animal husbandry departments.
* **Time-bound Resolution:** A collective commitment to addressing identified deficiencies within a specific timeframe to reinforce the national response architecture.
**Impact Analysis**
**Central Ministries and Agencies (e.g., ICMR, NCDC, ICAR, NDMA)**
**Impact**
These bodies are now tasked with operating under a more integrated "One Health" institutional mechanism. They are affected by a shift toward data-driven policymaking and the need for a "whole-of-government" response to pandemics.
**Action Required**
Clearly define roles and responsibilities for inter-agency coordination and collaborate on strengthening laboratory networks and BSL-3 ecosystems.
**State Departments (Animal Husbandry and Health)**
**Impact**
State-level Nodal Officers and Surveillance Officers are integrated into a national coordination framework, requiring tighter alignment with Central government strategies.
**Action Required**
Implement enhanced Centre-State coordination protocols and participate in regularized state-level preparedness assessments.
**Veterinary Universities and Academic Institutions**
**Impact**
The academic sector is recognized as a critical component of the national preparedness framework, specifically regarding capacity building and specialized training.
**Action Required**
Engage postgraduate and doctoral students in simulation exercises and align veterinary curricula with the priorities of the National One Health Mission.
Key Entities Referenced
National One Health Mission: An institutional mechanism and national program designed to facilitate coordinated, cross-sectoral action to address emerging health threats and zoonotic diseases.
Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD): The primary government department responsible for organizing the workshop and strengthening India’s preparedness and response framework under the One Health approach.
Prime Minister’s Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC): The high-level advisory body whose recommendations provided the institutional basis for the National One Health Mission.
Vishanu Yudh Abhyas: A national-level mock drill initiative conducted to evaluate operational readiness and identify gaps in pandemic preparedness.
Viral Sankraman Abhyas: A national-level simulation exercise focused on testing inter-sectoral coordination and laboratory response systems.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
“Strengthening One Health Preparedness: DAHD
Hosts National Workshop to Address Gaps
Identified in Mock Drills”
Posted On: 21 MAR 2026 2:41PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) organized a One-Day Sensitization Workshop
on “Addressing Gaps Identified during Mock Drills” on 20th March 2026 at the NASC Complex, Pusa,
New Delhi, in line with the recommendations of the 4th Scientific Steering Committee on One Health.
As part of preparedness-strengthening efforts under the National One Health Mission, two national-level
mock drills—“Vishanu Yudh Abhyas” (August 2024) and “Viral Sankraman Abhyas” (November 2025)—
were conducted to evaluate operational readiness, inter-sectoral coordination, laboratory response systems,
biosafety and biosecurity practices, and emergency communication protocols.
The primary objective of the workshop was to sensitize stakeholders across sectors on the key lessons
learned from these mock drills and to facilitate a structured and time-bound approach for addressing
identified gaps, thereby further strengthening India’s preparedness and response framework under the One
Health approach.
The workshop was graced by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of
India, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present at the inaugural session included Shri Naresh Pal
Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD; Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD;
Shri Rama Shankar Sinha, Additional Secretary (Livestock Health), DAHD; Dr. Muthukumarasamy B.,
Joint Secretary, DAHD; and Prof. (Dr.) Ranjan Das, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, New
Delhi.
In his address, Prof. Sood highlighted that nearly 60–70 percent of emerging infectious diseases in humans
are of zoonotic origin. He underscored the need for a unified framework integrating veterinary sciences,
human health, environmental science, and data-driven policymaking. He emphasized that the NationalOne Health Mission—emanating from the recommendations of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology
and Innovation Advisory Council—provides an institutional mechanism for coordinated, cross-sectoral
action to address emerging health threats. He further stressed that pandemic preparedness requires a
whole-of-government approach involving multiple Ministries, Departments, and States.
He noted that the deliberations of the workshop would significantly contribute to strengthening
preparedness for future health emergencies. Emphasizing the importance of awareness, targeted capacity
building, and effective communication strategies at all levels, he also drew attention to the critical human
dimension in outbreak response. He outlined key priority areas, including institutionalizing mock drills
and preparedness assessments; strengthening integrated surveillance and laboratory networks, including
the BSL-3 ecosystem; enhancing Centre–State coordination; improving governance frameworks; investing
in continuous capacity building; and leveraging science and technology for predictive and responsive
systems. Prof. Sood appreciated the efforts of DAHD and reiterated that mock drills serve as vital stress
tests for strengthening coordination and operational readiness and quoted “the more you sweat in peace
the less you bleed in war”.
Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, DAHD, emphasized the importance of mock drills in identifying and
addressing critical preparedness gaps. Drawing on lessons from COVID-19 and recurring influenza
outbreaks, he highlighted the role of simulation exercises in strengthening surveillance systems, laboratory
networks, and coordinated response mechanisms. He noted that the workshop aims to clearly define roles
and responsibilities while enhancing inter-agency coordination for effective management of future public
health emergencies.
The workshop witnessed participation from over 200 experts representing key Ministries and
organizations, including the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser, ICMR, National Institute of One
Health, NCDC, ICAR, veterinary universities, DAHD, NSCS, NDMA, BSL 3 Network, State Nodel
Officers of One Health, State Animal Husbandry Departments, State Surveillance Officers under IDSP as
well as postgraduate and doctoral students for veterinary universities/ colleges.
The workshop featured a Table Top Exercise on disease outbreak response—“Sankraman Pratirodh
Abhyas (SPA)”—and a Simulation Exercise titled “Ex Kitanu Sankraman – Vaishvik Suraksha: Swadhyay
se Abhyas Tak (KS-VS-SAT)”, coordinated by the National Security Council Secretariat, Government of
India.
The workshop concluded with a strong collective commitment from all key stakeholders to address
identified gaps in a time-bound manner, strengthen inter-sectoral coordination, and further reinforce
India’s preparedness and response architecture under the One Health framework.***********
JP
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