Centre Approves First-Ever All-Women CISF Battalion for Key Security Roles

Updated 12 Nov 2024, 07:11 PM IST

By: [Ravi Singh]

In a historic step towards gender inclusion in the country’s security apparatus, the Union Government has sanctioned the first al l- Women CISF Battalion within the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This exclusive women’s unit, consisting of 1,025 personnel, will be led by an officer of senior commandant rank and is set to enhance CISF’s deployment capabilities at high-profile locations.

The Union Home Ministry issued a formal order this week to establish the battalion, marking a significant development in the CISF’s operational structure. The move aligns with the Centre’s commitment to increasing women’s representation in security roles and follows longstanding requests from CISF to have an all-women battalion dedicated to roles in VIP protection and the security of critical national infrastructure.

Purpose and Responsibilities

The new battalion will add strength to CISF’s presence across sensitive installations, including airports, the Delhi Metro, and major monuments like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. Additionally, the unit will bolster the CISF’s capability to provide elite security at critical nuclear, aerospace, and corporate facilities. CISF’s remit also includes safeguarding important private sector sites, such as Infosys campuses in Bengaluru and Pune and Reliance’s Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat.

In a statement, the CISF said, “The Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the establishment of the first all-women battalion of the Central Industrial Security Force. The CISF Headquarters has begun preparing for the recruitment, training, and selection of HQ locations for the new battalion. The training is being specially designed to create an elite battalion capable of performing multifarious roles as commanders in VIP security and also security at airports and in the Delhi Metro.”

Existing and New Responsibilities

Currently, the CISF maintains 12 reserve battalions that are deployed as reinforcement units for a range of security tasks—whether temporary, such as election security, or permanent, like the recent assignment at Parliament House. The addition of the all-women battalion reflects the CISF’s response to an evolving security landscape and will enhance its flexibility in addressing emerging challenges.

The CISF, with a workforce of approximately 200,000 personnel, has already achieved substantial female representation in its ranks. Women personnel are prominently stationed at 68 civilian airports, the Delhi Metro, and other locations where they interface with the public regularly. This high visibility of women officers has earned positive feedback, and the new battalion will further cement CISF’s role as a model for inclusive security forces.

Looking Forward

The establishment of the all-women battalion is expected to be a milestone for both the CISF and India’s security framework. As preparations for recruitment and specialized training are underway, this new unit symbolizes the Centre’s focus on equipping women officers for multifaceted security roles, which include combating terrorism, managing VIP protection, and securing crucial facilities nationwide.

Founded in 1969, the CISF continues to evolve, with the new battalion serving as a testament to its ongoing adaptation to modern security requirements. This all-women battalion is anticipated to be operational soon, marking another chapter in the CISF’s history of service to the nation.