Union government approves first-ever all-women battalion in CISF

The Union government has approved the creation of a first-ever all-women battalion within the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), comprising over 1,000 personnel. The move comes in response to the increasing demands on the force, particularly in VIP security, airports, and other critical installations.

The new unit, designated as a “reserve battalion,” will be formed from the existing workforce of approximately 2,00,000 CISF personnel. The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the formation on Monday, and it will be led by a senior officer holding the rank of commandant. Women currently comprise over 7% of the CISF’s total strength of around 1,80,000.

Preparations for the battalion’s recruitment, training, and stationing are already underway. The training program is being tailored to develop an elite force, capable of handling high-level security tasks such as VIP protection and safeguarding major facilities like airports and the Delhi Metro.

Once established, this will be the CISF’s first all-women reserve battalion. While the CISF currently has 12 reserve battalions with a mix of male and female personnel, these units are kept on standby to provide reinforcement for duties like elections and the protection of key installations, including the Parliament House complex, which was recently added to the force’s responsibilities.

The CISF has significant interaction with female commuters and visitors at its guarded locations, including the 68 civil airports, the Delhi Metro, and historic sites like the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. Female personnel are already stationed at these sites.

Established in 1969, the CISF also provides counter-terrorism security to various sensitive facilities in the nuclear and aerospace sectors, as well as private sector operations like those of Infosys in Bengaluru and Pune, and the Reliance refinery in Jamnagar.

The push for an all-women reserve battalion emerged earlier this year, following a directive from Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the CISF’s 53rd Raising Day celebration in March 2023. The formation of this battalion is expected to inspire more young women to join the CISF and contribute to the nation’s security, offering a distinct identity to women within the force.

CISF is going to celebrate its glorious 55th Foundation Day of dedicated and selfless service to the nation on 10 March 2025. According to sources, during the Foundation Day program, this women battalion will also showcase its strength and skill in front of the Union Home Minister.