The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) Raising Day is observed annually on 10th March across India to commemorate the establishment of the CISF in 1969 and to honour the commitment and sacrifices of its personnel in protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring public safety throughout the country.
- 10th March 2025 marks the observance of the 56th CISF Raising Day.
History of CISF:
i.The CISF is a central armed police force in India, founded under the Central Industrial Security Force Act of 1968 (Act No. 50 of 1968).
ii.The CISF Bill was passed by Parliament on 13th August 1968, and received the President’s approval on 2nd December 1968.
iii.It came into effect on 10th March 1969 and functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
Note: In 2019, the Government of India (GoI) decided to celebrate CISF Raising Day across various parts of India rather than just in Delhi.
Roles and Responsibilities of CISF:
i.CISF is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in India.
ii.It was initially established to provide security to Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and critical infrastructure.
iii.Over the years, it has grown significantly and now provides security to a diverse range of establishments, including airports, seaports, nuclear power plants, government buildings, space installations, and metro systems.
iv.The CISF, through its elite and specialized Special Security Group (SSG) commandos, provides security to Very Important Persons (VIPs).
Note: The CISF is led by an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer holding the rank of Director-General (DG), who is assisted by an IPS officer with the rank of Additional Director-General (ADG).
Broadening of Charter:
i.The charter of CISF has broadened to make Presence Across Nation (PAN) India, with a strategic focus on areas affected by terrorism and Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in states of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and the North Eastern Region (NER).
ii.The expansion of the CISF’s charter of duties and responsibilities in 2009 extended its protective coverage to private-sector establishments.
Significance:
As the Armed Force of the Union, the CISF has established its unique identity through its distinctive characteristics.
- Safeguarding India’s critical infrastructure
- Generating revenue for GoI, without being a fiscal burden
- Maintaining the highest percentage of women in the workforce
- Providing fire services
- Managing the largest public interface
- Performing diverse, multifaceted roles across various sectors
2025 Events:
i.On March 7, 2025, Union Minister Amit Shah, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and Ministry of Cooperation (MoC) attended the 56th Raising Day Parade of CISF at the Regional Training Center in Thakkolam, Tamil Nadu (TN), as the chief guest.
- Union Minister of State (MoS) Loganathan Murugan, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAH&D); Rajvinder Singh Bhatti, DG of CISF, were also present during the event.
ii.He launched CISF’s annual magazine, Sentinel, and honored 10 personnel with the President’s Police Medal, 2 with the Jeevan Raksha Medal, and 10 with the Gallantry Medal.
iii.He laid the foundation stone for six infrastructure and development projects worth Rs. 88 crore, aimed at enhancing the health, duty performance, and facilities for CISF personnel.
iv.He flagged off the 1st Great Indian Coastal Cyclothon 2025 to raise awareness about national security in coastal areas, emphasizing the threats posed by smuggling, including drugs, weapons, and explosives.
- Theme: ‘Secure Shores, Prosperous India’
- The event started from Lakhpat in Gujarat on the western coast and Bakkhali in West Bengal on the eastern coast. It will travel through all coastal villages in the country and end at the Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari (TN) on March 31, 2025.
v.Announcements:
- The CISF Regional Training Centre in Thakkolam, Tamil Nadu, will be named after the great Chola dynasty warrior Rajaditya Chola, a decision that brings great pride.
- Previously, CAPF recruitment exams were only available in Hindi and English, with no provision for regional languages. Now, candidates can take the CAPF recruitment exams in Tamil and other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
- Jewar International Airport in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh (UP), and Navi Mumbai International Airport in Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) will soon be brought under the security coverage of the CISF.
About the Central Industrial Security Force:
Director General (DG) – Rajvinder Singh Bhatti
Headquarters – New Delhi (Delhi)
Established – 1969
