CISF Revamps Structure

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will implement a major functional reorganisation of its administrative and operational structure from November 1, aiming to strengthen specialised security management across critical infrastructure and strategic establishments nationwide.

The reorganisation, approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs, will realign the force's existing territorial sectors according to specific security requirements of different industries and establishments. The National Capital Region Sector will be reorganised as the Government Building Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector, New Delhi.

The North Sector in New Delhi and North Eastern Sector-II in Kolkata will be restructured as the Power-I and Power-II Sectors, respectively. The CISF has around 2.70 lakh personnel and was established in 1969, headquartered in Delhi.

The reorganisation aims to improve operational oversight, develop sector-specific expertise, ensure greater uniformity in security practices and strengthen coordination with the concerned ministries, departments and installation managements.

## What changed The existing structure will be replaced by a new sector-based command structure, where establishments belonging to the same economic or strategic sector will be brought under a common command, irrespective of their geographical location.

## Why it matters The move is significant as it recognises that different energy and strategic sectors have distinct operational processes, infrastructure, potential hazards and security vulnerabilities, and therefore need to be grouped together under specialised commands. This will help in strengthening security at critical infrastructure, including power plants, coal and steel facilities, airports and seaports.

The CISF's restructuring is a historic step towards improving the security of India's critical infrastructure and strategic establishments. With the new sector-based command structure, the force aims to provide more effective and specialised security services to various industries and establishments, ultimately contributing to the country's overall security and economic growth.