CISF Moves to Sector-Wise Command From November 1: Ports, Power, Coal and Steel Get Dedicated Sectors

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is overhauling how its administrative and operational commands are organised, with the changes coming into effect on November 1, 2026. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has approved the plan, which moves the force away from supervising by territory and towards a model built around specific sectors. The aim is stronger, specialised security management for India's critical infrastructure and strategic installations.

Under the new system, establishments from the same economic or strategic sector will report to one common command, wherever they are located. This is expected to improve oversight, build sector-specific expertise, standardise security practices and strengthen coordination with the ministries, departments and managements concerned.

How existing sectors are being renamed

• National Capital Region Sector becomes the Government Building, Museums and Monuments and Mass Rapid Transit System (GBMM & MRTS) Sector, headquartered in New Delhi. It will cover government buildings, museums, historical monuments and mass transit systems, including the Delhi Metro.

• North Sector (New Delhi) becomes the Power-I Sector, and North Eastern Sector-II (Kolkata) becomes the Power-II Sector.

• Eastern Sector (Ranchi) becomes the Coal Sector.

• Central Sector (Bhilai) becomes the Steel Sector.

• North Eastern Sector (Guwahati) becomes the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector.

• Western Sector (Mumbai) becomes the West Coast Port Sector, and South Sector (Chennai) becomes the East Coast Port Sector.

• The DAE & DoS Sector (Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space) in Bengaluru, Airport Sector-I in New Delhi and Airport Sector-II in Bengaluru will continue under their existing specialised arrangements.

Why the change

A senior CISF officer said that each energy and strategic sector has its own processes, infrastructure, hazards and weak points. Putting them under unified commands is expected to bring specialised supervision, focused training, sector-specific standard operating procedures, better use of specialist personnel and closer coordination with client organisations.

The force said the move will ensure that India's strategic and economic assets are protected by a specialised, sector-focused security set-up, with more accountability and uniform practices. It builds on 25 years of experience with functional commands in areas such as aviation security and DAE and DoS establishments.

Focus on port security

The two new coastal sectors are particularly significant. India has around 250 large and small seaports, and the CISF currently secures 13 major ports, including Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Maharashtra and Mundra Port in Gujarat. Last year, the Centre named the CISF the nodal seaports security force after it was recognised as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. The dedicated coastal sectors are expected to build specialised port-security skills, standardise procedures and improve coordination with port authorities.

A widening mandate

The restructuring comes as the CISF's role grows beyond traditional industrial security. The force has been given charge of security at high-security prisons in Jammu and Kashmir and named the nodal agency for aerial security of critical infrastructure. It is also building up its cybersecurity, drone and anti-drone capabilities through specialised training and tie-ups with premier institutions.

The CISF was set up in 1969 and is headquartered in New Delhi. It secures a wide range of critical sites, including airports, seaports, atomic energy and space facilities, power plants, steel plants, coal mines, petroleum and natural gas units, government buildings, monuments and mass transit systems. The MHA-approved changes take effect on November 1, 2026.