CISF to overhaul operational, administrative structure from November 1

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is all set to overhaul its administrative and operational structure to strengthen specialised security management across the critical infrastructure and strategic establishments under its protection. The revised arrangements, approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), will come into effect on 1 November, the Force said in a statement.

The reorganisation aims to align the Force’s supervisory structure more closely with the specific security requirements of different sectors, including power, coal, steel, petroleum and natural gas, ports, government buildings, museums, monuments and mass rapid transit systems. The objective is to improve operational oversight, promote sector-specific expertise, ensure greater uniformity in security practices and strengthen coordination with the concerned Ministries, Departments and installation managements.

CISF provides security to a wide range of establishments, including airports, seaports, atomic energy and space installations, power plants, power grids, steel plants, coal mines, petroleum and natural gas facilities, currency note presses, government buildings, iconic monuments and mass transit systems. Each sector has distinct operational processes, infrastructure, potential hazards and security vulnerabilities.

Under the earlier arrangement, administrative and operational supervision was largely organised along geographical lines. Over the past 25 years, the CISF has progressively adopted a functional approach in selected sectors, including aviation and strategic establishments under the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space. 

Supervisory structure reviewed

The CISF has reviewed the supervisory structure. The National Capital Region Sector has been reorganised into the Government Building Museums & Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector, New Delhi. The North Sector (New Delhi) and North Eastern Sector-II (Kolkata) have been restructured as the Power-I and Power-II Sectors, respectively.

The Eastern Sector (Ranchi) has been transitioned into the Coal Sector, while the Central Sector (Bhilai) is now the dedicated Steel Sector. The North Eastern Sector (Guwahati) has been transformed into the Petroleum & Natural Gas Sector.

To strengthen security management at maritime trade infrastructure, the Western Sector (Mumbai) and the Southern Sector (Chennai) have been transformed into the West Coast Port Sector and the East Coast Port Sector, respectively.

The Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space Sector, Bengaluru, Airport Sector-I, New Delhi, and Airport Sector-II, Bengaluru, will continue under their respective functional arrangements.

The reorganisation assumes significance as the CISF’s mandate expands beyond conventional industrial security to encompass new and specialised security responsibilities. The Force has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The functional realignment of port-sector supervision is expected to support the development of specialised port-security expertise and coordination with port authorities and other stakeholders.

The CISF has also been entrusted with security responsibilities at high-security correctional facilities in Jammu and Kashmir and designated as the nodal agency for aerial security of critical infrastructure. These responsibilities require specialised training, clear operational accountability and a coordinated approach to emerging security challenges.

The Force is also strengthening its cyber-security and drone and anti-drone capabilities through specialised training and collaboration with premier institutions. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing preparedness against cyberattacks, digital threats and hostile unmanned aerial systems that may endanger vital installations.