INITIATIVE TO BRING WOMEN IN FRONT-LINE OPERATIONAL ROLES
In a significant policy initiative to encourage woman empowerment within the force, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is all set to induct its first-ever All-Women Commando Team into the core operations.
In a press release, CISF unit ASG Dimapur deputy commandant/CASO Sandeep Kumar informed that training of women commandos has already begun at the Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh.
During eight -week advanced commando course, the women personnel would be trained for Quick Reaction Teams (QRT) and Special Task Force (STF) duties at high-security establishments and plants. The training includes physical fitness and weapons training, live-fire drills under stress, endurance-building exercises like running, obstacle courses, rappelling, survival training in forests, and a 48-hour confidence-building exercise designed to test decision-making and teamwork under adverse conditions.
The first batch of 30 women—currently deployed across various airports—would undergo training from August 11 to October 4, 2025, followed by a second batch from October 6 to November 29, 2025. In its initial phase, at least 100 women from different aviation security groups (ASGs) and sensitive CISF units would complete the program. CISF deputy commandant/CASO Sandeep Kumar stated that the force was committed to making such all-women courses a regular part of its training calendar.
Post training, he said the women commandos would primarily be deployed at Airport followed by other sensitive installation.
Kumar informed that CISF was also increasing women’s recruitment to achieve the Ministry of Home Affairs’ target of 10% representation. He further informed that at present, CISF has 12,491 women (8% of its strength), adding that 2,400 more would be recruited in 2026.
In the coming years, Kumar said recruitment would be structured to ensure that women consistently make up at least 10% of the force.