CISF stands for the Central Industrial Security Force. It is a part of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Both the CISF and CAPF function under the Ministry of Home Affairs, India. Talking about CISF, this police agency was set up with the aim of assisting industrial facilities in the country with security. It provides multiple provisions to businesses to protect them against any kind of threat, theft, risks, and deception. To date, more than 300 industrial plants in this country are under the protection of CISF.
The Central Industrial Security Force is the largest industrial safety force in the world with over 1,70,000 employees throughout its thirty-two battalions. Headquartered in New Delhi, all the CISF personnel need to undergo rigorous training in order to fulfill the criteria to be a part of this Force.
All important industrial sectors, including factories, hydroelectric power plants, space stations, and oil resources, are secured by the skillfully trained CISF officers. Additionally, they are trained in investigating, preventing crime, gathering intelligence, and conducting counterintelligence activities, all for the betterment of the public cause.
Establishment and Historical Background of CISF
Date of Establishment: 10 March, 1969
Law: The CISF Act, 1968 approved by the Parliament of India
Objective: Safeguard Public Sector Undertakings essential to the country’s economy
Origin: The Public Sector firms were witnessing threats which created the need for a specialized army to protect these industrial installations.
The responsibilities of CISF have grown over time and expanded beyond industrial security. Today, they also provide protection at seaports, airports, metro railroads, and other important facilities in addition to industrial security.
Key Milestones Achieved by CISF
During the 1970s and 1980s, CISF started administering extant security procedures and progressively grew to include more PSUs. Later, in the 1990s, as a result of liberalization, their duties expanded to include protection at businesses in the private sector as well.
The police force also handles high-profile security operations on this day.
Over the years, CISF has expanded to become one of India's largest paramilitary groups, thus continually enhancing its operating capabilities. It serves a variety of purposes in protecting India’s vital infrastructure and security issues.
Main Branches and Sectors of CISF
CISF is largely divided into three branches. They are:
- The Executive Branch
- The Fire Service Division
- The Ministry Branch
CISF is further classified into sectors headed by a Sector Inspector General. Six major sectors of the CISF are:
- Northern Sector, headquartered in New Delhi
- Southern Sector, headquartered in Chennai
- Western Sector, headquartered in Mumbai
- Eastern Sector, headquartered in Patna
- North–Eastern Sector, headquartered in Kolkata
- Airport Sector, headquartered in New Delhi
Eligibility Criteria to be a part of CISF
The CISF is one of the major parts of the Indian Government that is responsible for industrial security in the country. To secure employment in this sector, a person must fulfill the following eligibility criteria:
- The age of the candidate must be between 18 to 23 years old.
- The candidate must be a resident of India.
- The candidate must qualify for 12th grade with the subject Science.
- No prior experience is required to apply for CISF.
- There is no limit to the number of attempts.
- The candidate must fulfill educational prerequisites before applying.
Later, steps in the recruitment process involve a medical and physical checkup. If the candidate does not match the physical minimum height and chest circumference requirements, they will not be allocated to the military.
Roles and Responsibilities of the CISF
- CISF is mandated to protect vital nuclear power plants, oil refineries, and sensitive government buildings in India. This also includes defense against terrorism, sabotage, and espionage.
- They also function in the security of Public Sector projects and private industries, such as mines and steel mills.
- CISF oversees security activities at India's principal airports, seaports, and other such infrastructure. They look after screening of travelers and their belongings, access control, and maintaining order in these facilities.
- The force also continues to safeguard government-owned businesses engaged in infrastructure development, telecommunications, oil and gas, and other industries, as it was initially meant to do so.
- Besides this, CISF also guards important infrastructure like industrial complexes, metro systems, and historical monuments.
Collaborations of CISF with other Security Agencies
The Central Industrial Security Force collaborates both domestically and internationally to improve the security capabilities of the force. Some of their major collaborations are stated as under:
- Domestic Partnership: The CISF engages extensively with state police forces, intelligence services, and other paramilitary groups in India, including the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in cases of crisis and major security operations.
- International Cooperation: CISF participates in bilateral security agreements with equivalent international forces, thus exchanging security intelligence regarding threats and risks. This increases the security capabilities of both parties.
Importance of Collaboration by CISF
- Enhances the security efficiency of the police force by exchanging intelligence, and technologies, sharing network and training insights.
- International cooperation strengthens the global security network through collective efforts against transnational threats like terrorism, cybercrime, and organized crime.
The Central Industrial Security Force, or the CISF is an important pillar of India’s defense structure. Not only does it safeguard India's essential infrastructure, airports, and public sector projects, but with strong global involvement, CISF keeps developing and providing complete security.