CISF to establish first all-women reserve battalion for enhanced security roles

In a historic move, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will form its first all-women reserve battalion, consisting of over 1,000 personnel, sanctioned by the Union government.

This development is in response to the growing need for specialized security at airports and critical national infrastructure.

This all-women unit, composed of 1,025 personnel and led by a senior commandant, will be raised within the CISF's existing sanctioned strength of nearly 200,000 personnel, officials confirmed. The CISF currently operates 12 reserve battalions, which serve as additional forces, mobilized for temporary assignments such as election duties or for permanent deployments, like the recent security cover for the Parliament House complex.

The CISF’s responsibilities include safeguarding 68 civil airports, the Delhi Metro, and cultural heritage sites such as the Taj Mahal and Red Fort.

A home ministry official noted that given the CISF's extensive interaction with women in these facilities, the need for an all-women reserve battalion became evident, and the request was subsequently approved.

Founded in 1969, the CISF also provides security for sensitive sites within the nuclear and aerospace sectors, along with prominent private-sector facilities like Infosys campuses in Bengaluru and Pune, and Reliance's refinery in Jamnagar, Gujarat. This dedicated women’s battalion aims to bolster CISF’s capability in these critical sectors, reinforcing its commitment to security across both public and private domains.