Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving and a vital emergency procedure which improves the survival chances in critical cardiac cases. With a view to generate mass awareness, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organises CPR Awareness Week, aimed at promoting training, and community participation in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) during October every year. CPR Awareness Week is to ensure that every household, school, office, and public space has at least one individual trained in this lifesaving technique. This initiative is rooted in the understanding that cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of sudden deaths in India, with nearly 70% of such cases occurring outside hospital settings, where immediate medical assistance is often unavailable. In these critical moments, timely administration of CPR by a bystander can significantly improve survival outcomes. About CPR Compression-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) is a lifesaving technique that plays a critical role in reviving individuals during sudden cardiac arrest. Studies indicate that without CPR, brain damage can occur within minutes, and every minute of delay decreases sulvival chances by about 10%. Immediate bystander CPR can increase survival by two to three times. While nearly 50% of people in high-income countries have undergone CPR training, in India the bystander CPR rate remains alarmingly low, ranging only between 1.3% and 9.8% CPR Awareness Week 2025 CPR awareness week is organised from 13-17th October, 2025. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organized the pan-India CPR Awareness Week with the objective of enhancing public understanding and practical capacity in Compression-only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). The initiative aimed to sensitize citizens about the importance of early bystander intervention during cardiac arrest and other medical emergencies. The objectives of the CPR Awareness Week were to enhance public awareness on the importance of CPR as a critical life-saving measure, provide practical training and demonstrations through diverse stakeholders, encourage youth participation in volunteerism and community preparedness, and utilize digital platforms to achieve wide-ranging public outreach and engagement. Various activities planned during the week include a nation-wide pledge ceremony, organization of physical and virtual demonstrations on CPR, expert interactions, panel discussions, and other IEC activities. The initiative was implemented through the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders across the country. State and Union Territory Health and Medical Education Departments played a crucial role in organizing field-level training and awareness activities. Central Government Ministries/Department/Organizations such as those of Home Affairs, Defence, Labour & Employment, Youth Affairs, Sports, Electronics and Information Technology, Higher Education, School Education & Literacy, Railways, Health Research and NDMA extended decentralized outreach to diverse sections of society. Central Government Hospitals, AIIMS, Institutes of National Importance and autonomous institutions under the Ministry actively conducted training and awareness sessions. The Indian Red Cross Society mobilized its State, Union Territory, and District sub-centres for community-based CPR training. Professional bodies also conducted training and awareness programmes through their State Chapters. Digital outreach and youth engagement were further strengthened through the MyGov platform of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and the MyBharat platform of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports. Source : Ministry of Health and Family Welfare