In A Historic Move, India's First All-Women CISF Battalion Gets Green Light

In a significant move, the Home Ministry has sanctioned the formation of the first-ever all-women battalion within the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This new unit termed a "reserve battalion," will consist of 1,025 female personnel and be led by an officer of the senior commandant rank, according to a report by PTI. The announcement marks a notable step in enhancing women's representation in the force, which currently stands at around 7% of its total strength of 1.80 lakh personnel.

India's First All-Women CISF Unit Gets Green Light From Home Ministry

The CISF has begun preparing for the recruitment and training process for this newly approved battalion. Special efforts are being made to design training modules tailored for the battalion to develop it into an elite unit. The battalion is expected to handle various critical roles, such as providing security for VIPs, airports, the Delhi Metro, and significant national monuments.

#NariShaktiKaVandan#सशक्त_नारी_सशक्त_देश#WomenInUniform
In a landmark decision, MHA has approved CISF’s 1st ever all-women battalion promoting gender equality. It will encourage aspiring women to join CISF's mission to safeguard national strategic assets.@PMOIndia @HMOIndia pic.twitter.com/DPq1Xy7HvV

— CISF (@CISFHQrs) November 12, 2024

The force is also actively searching for a dedicated headquarters for the all-women unit to ensure smooth operations management. The training program will focus on equipping the personnel with the skills necessary to meet diverse security challenges and prepare them for high-stakes assignments.

Currently, female personnel in the CISF are integrated into various units, contributing to tasks like guarding civil airports, ensuring safety in the Delhi Metro, and protecting historical landmarks such as the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. The CISF operates 68 civil airports and has a significant daily interaction with women commuters and visitors, making the creation of an all-women battalion a strategic and supportive move. 

As of now, the CISF maintains 12 reserve battalions with a combination of male and female personnel. The establishment of an all-women battalion is expected to strengthen the force's operational efficiency and create more opportunities for female officers to take on leadership and specialised roles.

The proposal to create an exclusive women's battalion in the CISF was initiated following instructions from Home Minister Amit Shah during the 53rd Raising Day celebrations of the force in March 2023. His vision emphasised increasing women's participation in national security roles and providing a platform for them to showcase their capabilities on a larger scale.