This move is aimed at empowering women in the security and defense sectors, expanding their roles in national security. The proposal for creating an all-women battalion was initiated following the direction of Union Home Minister Amit Shah during the CISF's 53rd Raising Day in March 2023.
CISF has started preparations for the recruitment and training of the personnel for this new battalion, which will include specialized training for elite roles. The battalion will be trained for various roles, including VIP security, airport security, and managing the security of critical installations like Delhi Metro and the Taj Mahal.
The all-women battalion will be formed from the CISF's existing manpower, which includes around two lakh personnel. Currently, women make up about 7 percent of the CISF force, which totals approximately 1.80 lakh personnel.
The CISF is responsible for securing various high-profile locations such as 68 civil airports, the Delhi Metro, historical monuments, nuclear facilities, and private sector establishments like Infosys offices and Reliance refineries. CISF currently has 12 reserve battalions that provide reinforcement for tasks such as election duties and guarding critical infrastructure.
The force has a significant interaction with women at various facilities, especially at airports, metro stations, and monuments, where female personnel already play crucial roles. it is also in the process of identifying a new headquarters specifically for the all-women battalion as part of its preparations.
