CISF to Introduce Sector-Based Commands from November 1

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) will introduce an organisational restructuring on 1 November 2026. Approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the change replaces territorial supervision with a domain-based, sector-specific command structure for security oversight of critical infrastructure and strategic establishments.

Sector-Based Command Structure

Eight of the CISF’s 11 existing supervisory sectors will be realigned into functional units. The Coal Sector, headquartered in Ranchi, will replace the Eastern Sector, while the Steel Sector in Bhilai will replace the Central Sector. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector in Guwahati will replace the North Eastern Sector. Two dedicated power commands will be established: Power-I Sector in New Delhi, formerly the North Sector, and Power-II Sector in Kolkata, formerly the North Eastern Sector-II. The West Coast Port Sector in Mumbai will replace the Western Sector, and the East Coast Port Sector in Chennai will replace the Southern Sector. The National Capital Region Sector in New Delhi will be redesignated as the Government Building Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector. Existing arrangements for the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and Department of Space (DoS) Sector in Bengaluru, and for Airport Sectors in New Delhi and Bengaluru, will remain unchanged.

Security Responsibilities and Coordination

The reorganisation’s stated objectives include improving operational oversight, developing sector-specific expertise, standardising security practices and coordinating with relevant ministries and installation managements. The CISF’s expanding responsibilities include its role as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port facilities under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The ISPS Code is an international maritime security framework adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It is implemented through the SOLAS Convention, formally the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea.

CISF: Institutional Background

The CISF is a Central Armed Police Force under the MHA. It was established in 1969 under the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968. Its security responsibilities cover industrial installations and other facilities, including airports, ports and government buildings.

Important Facts for Exams

• The CISF was established in 1969 under the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs administers the CISF.
• The International Maritime Organization adopted the ISPS Code in 2002.
• The ISPS Code is linked to Chapter XI-2 of the SOLAS Convention.

The restructuring takes effect on 1 November 2026. The DAE and DoS Sector in Bengaluru and the Airport Sectors in New Delhi and Bengaluru will retain their existing arrangements.