In an important initiative towards strengthening industrial security, with an overall aim to support economic rise, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved increasing the strength of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) from the existing 1,62,000 personnel to an authorised ceiling of 2,20,000.
As the country’s economy scales new heights, this augmentation will bolster security forces’ deployment across a range of critical sectors that include rapidly expanding sectors like aviation, ports, thermal power plants, and vital installations like hydro power and other crucial projects.
Notably, with the decline in left-wing extremism in the states earlier affected by the same, there is an anticipation of new industrial hubs in the places, which makes it necessary for the CISF presence to provide effective protection.
It is being said that the growth will also generate new employment opportunities, particularly through upcoming recruitment drives.
In 2024 alone, as many as 13,230 personnel were recruited, and recruitment for another 24,098 is currently underway in 2025.
The Force is expected to add about 14,000 personnel every year, thereby infusing young personnel into the force.
These recruitment efforts are also likely to attract a greater number of women candidates, supported by the force’s progressive policies aimed at increasing the representation of women across all ranks.
Due to this increase, the CISF is in a position to raise one additional battalion, which will be helpful in deployment for internal security duties, as well as contingency deployment.
Last year, the CISF inducted seven new units under its security wing, including deployments at multiple vital installations.
This augmentation underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening the capabilities of CISF in line with the evolving security landscape and ensuring that it remains a robust and responsive force supporting the accelerating pace of the country’s development.