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CISF Launches First All-Women Commando Unit
What’s the News?
- The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has begun training its first all‑women commando unit.
- The unit will join Quick Reaction Teams and Special Task Forces, assigned to sensitive installations such as airports and metro systems.
All-Women Commando Unit
- Training Location: Regional Training Centre, Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh.
- Training Details:
- Duration: 8‑week intensive course. First batch (30 women) training from August 11 to October 4; second batch starting October 6 through November 29.
- Curriculum includes: weapons handling, live‑fire drills under stress, endurance runs, obstacle courses, rappelling, forest survival skills, plus a 48‑hour confidence‑building exercise to assess decision‑making and team coordination under simulated hostile conditions.
- Initial Cohort: Approximately 100 women from the Aviation Security Group and other sensitive CISF units will complete the programme in this phase.
- Objective: Make this course a regular feature in CISF’s training calendar to expand women’s role in core operational capacities.
Additional Info
- Central Industrial Security Force (CISF):
- One of India's seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Established in 1969 to provide security to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).
- Its motto is "Protection and Security" (Sanrakshan aur Suraksha).
- Its mandate has expanded to include securing airports, the Delhi Metro, government buildings, heritage monuments, and other vital installations.
- Historical Context of Women in CAPFs:
- Women allowed in CISF in supervisory roles only since 1992. Subsequently expanded to combat roles via direct recruitment and officer entry through UPSC. As of mid‑2010s, 33 % reservation at constabulary level was introduced for CISF and CRPF.
- Other all‑women operational units exist, such as CRPF’s Danteshwari Ladake (anti‑Naxal) and earlier female commandos in NSG/SPG.