The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the creation of the first all-women battalion within the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), marking a historic milestone for the force. The new "reserve battalion" will consist of 1,025 women personnel, led by a senior commandant, providing a dedicated women’s unit for the CISF.

Currently, women make up about 7% of the CISF’s 1.8 lakh personnel, and this new initiative aims to enhance their role significantly. Recruitment and training preparations are already underway for this specialized battalion, with the CISF also searching for an appropriate headquarters for the unit.

This all-women battalion will be trained for diverse security roles, including commando duties for VIP protection and securing major infrastructure sites such as airports and the Delhi Metro. According to CISF sources, the training program will be designed to prepare these personnel for multifaceted responsibilities and elite operations.

The CISF currently operates 12 reserve battalions with mixed-gender personnel. However, this dedicated all-women battalion comes as part of the Home Minister Amit Shah's initiative, first proposed during the 53rd Raising Day of the CISF in March 2023. The CISF, which interacts frequently with female commuters across facilities such as 68 civil airports, the Delhi Metro, and iconic sites like the Taj Mahal, already has women deployed in various capacities. This new battalion aims to further solidify women’s contributions to national security.