As part of its ongoing drive to enhance security operations and upgrade its capabilities, the Central Industrial Security Force is expanding the role of women personnel in undertaking special operations.
The CISF’s 10th Reserve Battalion based in Bengaluru has been designated as a dedicated Mahila Quick Reaction Team / Commando Training Centre to train women personnel for critical, front-line security roles.
At present, the CISF has about 12,500 women personnel, forming 7-8 per cent of its total strength. Functioning under the ministry of Home Affairs, it is responsible for providing security cover to critical infrastructure across India, including public sector undertakings, airports, seaports, Parliament and other sensitive installations.
An operational review meeting was held at Chandigarh on Friday to assess the operational preparedness and security arrangements across the northern sector and the airport sector of the force, which was chaired by the Director General, Praveer Ranjan.
During the meeting, emphasis was laid on strengthening preparedness against emerging threats, including drone-related challenges, anti-sabotage measures and disaster response capabilities.
Senior officers and unit commanders of various units participated in the meeting, where detailed discussions were held on strengthening security preparedness, enhancing response capabilities through better inter-agency coordination and adoption of advanced technologies for protection of critical infrastructure and civil aviation installations.
The review assumes significance in view of evolving security challenges in border and strategically sensitive regions, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat, a CISF spokesperson said.
To counter low-altitude aerial threats effectively, the CISF has rolled out a phased ‘Counter-Drone Training Programme’ for its personnel in close collaboration with the Indian Army. Conducted at multiple specialised locations, this program equips personnel with advanced capabilities to detect, track, and neutralise hostile unmanned aerial systems (UAVs).
The meeting also reviewed joint training initiatives being undertaken with the Indian Army and other agencies in the areas of counter-terrorism, quick reaction response and disaster management.
These include counter-insurgeny and counter-terrorist training, quick reaction teams, specialised training and battle inoculation training with the Army, and the Art of Living resilience programme for improved mental resilience and stress management among personnel in operational zones.
CISF personnel have undergone specialised training programmes at various Army establishments and with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to strengthen tactical response and emergency handling capabilities.
In the aviation sector, the CISF reviewed the progression of key technological and operational upgrades across the commercial airports under its protection. Discussions centered on reinforcing perimeter security, upgrading surveillance networks and adopting next-generation screening tools to maintain world-class aviation security standards.
Key technologies actively deployed across airports include Digi Yatra and Aadhaar validation that facilitates a seamless and paperless biometrics-based passenger transit experience and robust identity verification checks.
Full body scanners and CCTV video analytics for advanced non-intrusive passenger screening and automated real-time threat mapping and behavioural detection have also been set up along with centralised access control and perimeter intrusion detection systems (PIDS) to regulate and monitor staff movement within critical terminal zones and securing the outer boundaries of sensitive airport installations against unauthorised breaches.
Automated tray return systems (ATRS) and bomb detection and disposal systems (BDDS) to enhance carry-on baggage screening efficiency and maintaining a high-readiness posture for explosive detection and neutralization are other elements of modernisation.
The CISF is running a dedicated drive to fortify its airport QRTs, with 659 personnel from 49 aviation security groups (ASGs) successfully completing rigorous military-grade battle inoculation training. The force aims to cover QRT personnel across all 72 airports under its security umbrella by the end of 2026.
To establish specialised research and training in this domain, a proposal for the creation of a CISF Aviation Security Academy (CASA) is currently under consideration with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
