CISF to overhaul its administrative structure

Why in the News

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will supervise its units by type of installation, such as power, coal, steel and ports, instead of largely by geographical region. The revised arrangements, approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), come into effect on November 1, as the force takes on new duties beyond industrial security.

What is the CISF, and how was it supervised until now?

1. What it is: The CISF is a Central Armed Police Force under the MHA, set up in 1969. It works like an in-house security wing for the country’s vital installations.
2. Wide coverage: It secures airports, seaports, atomic and space installations, power plants, steel plants, coal mines, oil and gas facilities, currency note presses, government buildings, monuments and mass transit systems.
3. Regional supervision: Administrative and operational supervision was largely organised along geographical lines, so one regional sector oversaw very different installations.
4. Partial functional shift: Over 25 years, the force adopted a functional approach, supervising by type of installation, in selected sectors, such as aviation and Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Space (DoS) establishments.
5. The takeaway: A coal mine, a port and a metro face different hazards, so supervisors organised by sector can build expertise a regional command cannot.

What changes from November 1?

1. Government buildings and transit: The National Capital Region Sector becomes the Government Building, Museums & Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector, New Delhi.
2. Power sectors: The North Sector (New Delhi) and North Eastern Sector-II (Kolkata) become the Power-I and Power-II Sectors.
3. Coal, steel, oil and gas: The Eastern (Ranchi), Central (Bhilai) and North Eastern (Guwahati) Sectors become the Coal, Steel and Petroleum & Natural Gas Sectors.
4. Port sectors: The Western (Mumbai) and Southern (Chennai) Sectors become the West Coast Port and East Coast Port Sectors, to strengthen security at maritime trade infrastructure.
5. Unchanged sectors: The DAE and DoS Sector (Bengaluru), Airport Sector-I (New Delhi) and Airport Sector-II (Bengaluru) continue under their existing arrangements.

Why does the force need sector specific supervision now?

1. Stated objectives: The change aims to improve operational oversight, build sector specific expertise, make security practices uniform and strengthen coordination with ministries and installation managements.
2. Port security role: The CISF is now the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, the global port security standard. The port sectors will build this expertise and work with port authorities.
3. Prisons and aerial security: It guards high security prisons in Jammu and Kashmir. It is also the nodal agency for aerial security of critical infrastructure, meaning protection against threats from the air.
4. Need for specialisation: These duties need specialised training and clear accountability for operations. They also need coordinated responses to new security threats.

Challenges

1. Stretched manpower: Ports, prisons and aerial security draw on the same personnel already deployed at installations across the country.
2. Many port stakeholders: Port security depends on port authorities, terminal operators and customs, so the CISF cannot secure ports alone.
3. Local coordination: One district may now host units under several sectors, which can complicate joint responses with the State police.

Way Forward

1. Sector training: The CISF should run dedicated training for each sector, starting with ports and aerial security.
2. Matching strength: The MHA should sanction additional posts for the new duties rather than thin out existing deployments.
3. Joint protocols: Each sector should agree response protocols with State police and installation managements.

Conclusion

The CISF is turning from a regionally run guard force into a set of sector specialists as its duties widen to ports, prisons and aerial security. Whether the new sectors receive matching manpower and training will decide if the change improves security or only redraws the command chart.

Back2Basics: ISPS Code

1. What it is: The ISPS Code is a global security standard for ships and port facilities.
2. Origin: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted it after the September 2001 attacks in the US. It came into force in 2004 under the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).
3. What it requires: Ships and ports must carry out security assessments, keep security plans and appoint security officers.
4. Recognised Security Organisation: A body a government authorises to carry out security assessments and plans for port facilities on its behalf.

Matching Previous Year Question

“No direct PYQ traced in the provided files. Thematic PYQ: [2023, GS3, 15 marks] What are the internal security challenges being faced by India? Give out the role of Central Intelligence and Investigative Agencies tasked to counter such threats.”