Chandigarh, August 7 - Taking a significant step towards further strengthening industrial security and providing a secure base for the country's economic development, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved increasing the authorized strength of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from 1,62,000 to 2,20,000. This historic decision will prove to be an important milestone in India's security policies, which will help in further strengthening industrial security and creating new employment opportunities.
While giving information, Unit Commander of Punjab Haryana Civil Secretariat Mr. Lalit Panwar said that India's economy is growing rapidly and it is necessary to strengthen the security mechanism to keep it running smoothly. With this expansion, the CISF will be deployed in many important areas.
Which include sensitive areas like airports, ports, thermal power plants, nuclear installations, hydroelectric power plants and lakes in Jammu and Kashmir. Apart from this, with the decrease in left-wing extremism in states like Chhattisgarh, new industrial centers are possible, for which it has become necessary to further increase the presence of CISF.
He said that the number of personnel deployed in CISF is being expanded to strengthen the security of the country. In the year 2024, 13,230 new personnel were recruited and the process is underway for 24,098 posts in 2025. About 14,000 new personnel will be inducted into CISF every year in the next five years. The participation of women in these recruitments is also expected to increase, which is supported by the policies of the CISF which are working towards giving representation to women at all levels.
He said that this increase in the strength of the force will also pave the way for the formation of a new battalion which will play a vital role in the requirements of internal security, emergency deployment etc. Besides this, the CISF has started seven new units under its security wing last year. These include two new units of the Fire Brigade in the projects of Parliament House and ITA.
Mr. Panwar said that this expansion is not only in line with the growing industrial and infrastructure of India but also reflects the increasing role of the CISF in the protection of the country's prime national assets. This expansion is in line with the changing security landscape and will make the CISF a strong and alert security force.