What is Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)?

About Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):

• It is a Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) in India.
• It was set up under an Act of the Parliament of India on 10 March 1969 with a strength of 2,800. 
• CISF was subsequently made an armed force of the Republic of India by another Act of Parliament passed on 15 June 1983.
• The force has since grown into a premier multi-skilled organization with a present strength of more than 1,88,000 personnel.
• It is directly under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, and its headquarters are at New Delhi.
• The CISF at present provides security cover to 359 establishments across the country.
• Organisation Structure:
  • CISF is headed by an Indian Police Service officer with the rank of Director-General, assisted by an IPS officer in the rank of Addl. Director-General.
  • The force is divided into seven sectors (Airport, North, North-East, East, West, South, and Training), and also has a Fire Service Wing.
• Functions:
  • The CISF security umbrella includes India’s most critical infrastructure facilities like nuclear installations, space establishments, airports, seaports, power plants, etc.
  • The specialized task of airport security was assigned to CISF in the year 2000 in the wake of the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight IC-814 to Kandahar.
  • In addition, the CISF also protects important government buildings, iconic heritage monuments, Delhi Metro, Parliament House Complex, and Central Jails of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • The CISF also has a specialized VIP Security vertical, providing round-the-clock security to important protectees.
  • CISF is one of the largest Fire Protection Service providers in the country. CISF is the only force with a customized and dedicated fire wing.
  • Post the Mumbai terror attack in November 2008, the mandate of CISF was broadened to provide security cover to private corporate establishments also.
  • The CISF also provides security consultancy services to private entities and its services are much in demand.
  • The CISF is the only CAPF with a daily public interface - in the airports, in the Delhi Metro, and in the iconic monuments.