NEW DELHI: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which currently secures over 70 major airports and 13 seaports, has been officially designated as the nodal authority for all port-security matters in India.
On November 18, the government notified CISF as the Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for port security under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPFSC). The move aligns with India’s push for port-led growth and the expansion of the ‘blue economy.’ It follows recommendations from a joint committee of the CISF and the Directorate General of Shipping, formed in September 2024 to review port security, identify gaps, and propose corrective measures.
As the designated RSO, CISF will undertake fresh assessments of existing security systems, develop standardised ISPFSC-compliant security plans, and handle core security functions at all export–import (EXIM) seaports across the country.
India has around 77 EXIM ports—including 12 major and roughly 65 non-major ports—along with nearly 200 minor ports that currently do not handle cargo. Once these minor ports begin EXIM operations, CISF will also oversee their security.
“For all matters related to port security, CISF will be the nodal authority,” a senior CISF officer said. “We will work across three key domains: consultancy for establishing security systems and technologies, deploying hybrid security manpower, and training all sector stakeholders.”
CISF DIG (Intelligence) Ajay Dahiya added that the initiative aims to eliminate long-standing security inconsistencies at non-major ports and ensure uniform oversight by a specialised security agency.
Officials noted that a hybrid security model, enhanced screening systems, and dedicated training institutions for port-security personnel are being introduced. CISF’s core responsibilities will include access control, CCTV surveillance, perimeter protection, seafront patrolling, quick-reaction teams, and integrated operations centres. Non-core duties—such as traffic management and container-terminal operations—may continue to be handled by state police, industrial security forces, or private agencies, but these personnel too will receive training from CISF to maintain uniform standards.
CISF has created multiple training modules covering basic port security, specialised roles, and auditing.
Until now, seaport security responsibilities rested with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) under the Directorate General of Shipping. A CISF officer noted that the need for a dedicated, sovereign professional agency had been raised repeatedly in high-level security meetings chaired by the Prime Minister and Home Minister, highlighting vulnerabilities across the country’s 254 ports, both large and small.
