First All-Women Battalion in Central Armed Forces to Launch Soon

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The CISF has been allowed to raise an all-women battalion - termed the "reserve battalion" - with 1,025 personnel, and it would be headed by a senior commandant officer.

It is a landmark decision as the home ministry has sanctioned the raising of an entirely women's battalion in the CISF, with more than 1,000 personnel.

An official sanction for the exclusive women's unit has been given, news agency PTI reported. CISF is now planning to make all necessary arrangements for recruiting and training personnel in the shortest time possible for the new battalion and in the process has also finalized the identification of a suitable headquarters.

According to sources from the CISF, "The training course is being designed in a very meticulous way so that an elite battalion is prepared for the job of doing VIP security, management of security at airports, and management of Delhi Metro and other tasks," said CISF sources.

Currently, CISF is operating 12 reserve battalions in which male and female personnel are deployed together. The force is in constant interaction with female commuters and visitors to numerous destinations across the country including the 68 civil airports it protects, Delhi Metro, and landmark historical monuments like Taj Mahal and the Red Fort, within which female personnel are already deployed.

Following a directive by Home Minister Amit Shah at the CISF's 53rd Raising Day celebration held in March 2023, the initiative to create all-women battalions is being undertaken.