Pramesh S Jain
Sector-specific supervision introduced for power,coal, steel,petroleum,ports and other critical infrastructure.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is undertaking a major functional reorganisation of its administrative and operational structure to strengthen security management at critical infrastructure and strategic establishments across the country.
The revised structure,approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),will come into effect on November 1, 2026.
Under the reorganisation,the CISF’s existing territorial sectors will be realigned into specialised functional sectors to improve operational efficiency,strengthen accountability and ensure uniform security practices across different industries and infrastructure facilities.
The restructuring will bring establishments under sector-specific supervision based on their operational requirements, covering power plants,coal mines,steel plants,petroleum and natural gas facilities,ports, government buildings,museums,monuments and mass rapid transit systems.
Territorial system replaced by functional supervision
Until now,administrative and operational supervision in several sectors was largely based on territorial jurisdiction.
However,the CISF has progressively adopted a functional approach in specialised areas,including aviation and strategic establishments under the Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Space.
According to the CISF,the experience gained from this system has demonstrated the benefits of specialised supervision,focused training, sector-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), better deployment of specialised personnel and closer coordination with the organisations being protected.
Following a review involving supervisory formations, branches at Force Headquarters and senior officers,the Force decided to extend the functional model to the remaining territorial sectors,with the approval of the MHA.
New sectoral arrangements :
Under the revised structure,the National Capital Region Sector will become the Government Buildings,Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector,headquartered in New Delhi.
The North Sector in New Delhi and the North Eastern Sector-II in Kolkata will be reorganised as the Power-I and Power-II sectors,respectively.
The Eastern Sector in Ranchi will become the Coal Sector, while the Central Sector in Bhilai will be converted into the dedicated Steel Sector.
The North Eastern Sector in Guwahati will become the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector.
The Western Sector in Mumbai and the South Sector in Chennai will be transformed into the West Coast Port Sector and East Coast Port Sector,respectively, to strengthen security oversight of India’s maritime infrastructure.
The Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space Sector in Bengaluru, Airport Sector-I in New Delhi and Airport Sector-II in Bengaluru will continue under their existing functional arrangements.
Reorganisation amid expanding security responsibilities
The restructuring comes as the CISF takes on additional responsibilities 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.
The new port sectors are expected to facilitate specialised security planning and better coordination with port authorities and other stakeholders.
The CISF has also been entrusted with security responsibilities at high-security correctional facilities in Jammu and Kashmir and designated as the nodal agency for 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.
The CISF said the functional realignment would help improve sector-specific expertise,enhance coordination with client ministries and installation managements,and strengthen preparedness against evolving security threats.
The move is aimed at building a more specialised and future-ready security force to protect India’s strategic and economic assets amid changing operational and technological challenges.
