Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)

Central Industrial Security Force Latest News

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently approved the recruitment of 58,000 additional personnel for the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), anticipating future industrial hubs in areas now affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE).

About Central Industrial Security Force

• It is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in India.
• It is directly under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and its headquarters are in New Delhi.
• Motto: “Protection and Security”

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CISF Establishment

• The CISF came into existence in 1969 through the CISF Act 1968 with a sanctioned strength of only three battalions. 
• The original charter of CISF was to provide integrated security cover to certain sensitive public sector undertakings.
• The Act was amended in 1983 declaring the CISF as an Armed Force of the Union. 
• The force has since grown into a premier multi-skilled organization with a present strength of more than 188,000 personnel.
• The CISF at present provides security cover to 359 establishments across the country.

CISF Organisation Structure

• CISF is headed by an Indian Police Service officer with the rank of Director-General, assisted by an IPS officer in the rank of Addl. Director-General.
• The force is divided into seven sectors (Airport, North, North-East, East, West, South, and Training), and also has a Fire Service Wing.

CISF Functions

• The CISF security umbrella includes India’s most critical infrastructure facilities, like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, etc.
• The specialized task of airport security was assigned to CISF in the year 2000 in the wake of the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 to Kandahar.
• In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, Delhi Metro, Parliament House Complex, and Central Jails of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The CISF also has a specialized VIP Security vertical, providing round-the-clock security to important protectees.
• CISF personnel are trained in disaster management techniques, enabling them to actively respond to natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and cyclones. 
• CISF is one of the largest Fire Protection Service providers in the country. CISF is the only force with a customized and dedicated fire wing.
• Post the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, the mandate of CISF was broadened to provide security cover to private corporate establishments also.
• It is a compensatory cost force, which means that it bills its clients for the services it provides.
• The CISF is the only CAPF with a daily public interface – in the airports, in the Delhi Metro, and in the iconic monuments.

Source: TH