New Delhi :
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has announced a major restructuring of its administrative and operational control framework to strengthen the security of the country’s critical infrastructure and strategic establishments. The revised structure, approved with the concurrence of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), will come into effect on November 1, 2026.
The reorganisation aims to align security supervision with the specific requirements of different sectors, enhance specialised expertise, improve operational efficiency and strengthen coordination with the concerned ministries, departments and establishment managements.
Sector-Specific Security Management
CISF provides security to airports, seaports, atomic energy and space installations, power plants, power grids, steel plants, coal mines, petroleum and natural gas facilities, government buildings, historic monuments and mass rapid transit systems.
Earlier, administrative and operational supervision was largely organised according to territorial jurisdiction. Drawing on its experience of functional supervision in sectors such as aviation and strategic establishments under the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space, CISF has now extended this approach to other sectors.
The new arrangement is expected to promote specialised supervision, sector-specific training, uniform security procedures and more effective utilisation of personnel.
New Functional Sectors Announced
Under the revised structure, the National Capital Region Sector has been reorganised into the Government Building, Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector, New Delhi.
The North Sector, New Delhi, and North Eastern Sector-II, Kolkata, have been restructured as the Power-I and Power-II Sectors, respectively. The Eastern Sector, Ranchi, has been converted into the Coal Sector, while the Central Sector, Bhilai, will function as the dedicated Steel Sector.
The North Eastern Sector, Guwahati, has been transformed into the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector. The Western Sector, Mumbai, and South Sector, Chennai, have been reorganised into the West Coast Port Sector and East Coast Port Sector, respectively.
The DAE & DoS Sector, Bengaluru, Airport Sector-I, New Delhi, and Airport Sector-II, Bengaluru, will continue under their existing functional arrangements.
Reorganisation to Address Emerging Security Challenges
The restructuring comes at a time when CISF’s responsibilities are expanding beyond conventional industrial security. The Force has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
CISF has also been entrusted with security responsibilities at high-security correctional facilities in Jammu and Kashmir and designated as the nodal agency for the aerial security of critical infrastructure.
To address emerging threats, the Force is strengthening its cyber-security and drone and anti-drone capabilities through specialised training and collaboration with premier institutions. These initiatives aim to improve preparedness against cyberattacks, digital threats and hostile unmanned aerial systems.
The reorganisation is expected to improve accountability, establish greater uniformity in security practices and strengthen coordination with client ministries and infrastructure operators.
With the revised structure scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2026, CISF aims to develop a more specialised and responsive security framework to protect India’s vital economic and strategic assets amid an evolving security environment.
