The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) plans to strengthen its ability to counter potential drone and cyber threats targeting critical installations, a senior officer said on Thursday.
“In the next modernisation plan, we will take up drone and anti-drone training in a big way,” said Praveer Ranjan, Director General of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), while referring to drone attacks witnessed during Operation Sindoor and the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Addressing the media on the eve of the 57th Raising Day of the force in Bhubaneshwar, Ranjan said the CISF has already established a drone training and anti-drone capability centre at its unit in Behror. He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs has granted approval to set up a Remote Pilot Training Organisation (RPTO) that will provide training in drone operations as well as counter-drone systems.
The CISF has also been designated as the nodal agency responsible for dealing with aerial threats at vital installations across the country. Highlighting another emerging challenge, Ranjan said cyber threats are now affecting nearly every sector. As most operations rely heavily on digital systems and software applications, ensuring the security of such systems has become increasingly important.
“CISF is also going in a big way to develop its capacity in cyber security. We have already developed some cyber commandos,” the DG said. Under its modernisation plan for 2026–2030, the CISF has identified 76 items worth ₹819 crore. These include advanced training in drone technologies, the creation of an integrated cyber security laboratory, establishment of a dedicated data centre, and the implementation of a zero-trust network to safeguard the force’s digital infrastructure, officials said.
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Amit Shah, India’s Union Home Minister, will attend the Raising Day celebrations at the CISF’s Mundali unit and inaugurate two residential projects for personnel. Shah is scheduled to open a modern housing complex at Rajarhat worth ₹72.46 crore, along with another residential project at Maidan Garhi costing ₹253.10 crore.
He will also lay the foundation stones for three new reserve battalions: the 9th Reserve Battalion at Nagarbera (₹124.73 crore), the 11th Reserve Battalion at Nashik (₹195.29 crore), and the 12th Reserve Battalion at Sehore (₹243.73 crore).
Currently, with a strength of around two lakh personnel, the CISF provides security cover to 361 vital installations across 25 states and five Union Territories.
The force guards 71 airports, the Delhi Metro Rail network, 10 chemical and fertiliser plants, 105 power plants, 18 nuclear installations, 16 establishments of the Department of Space, and 47 government buildings housing major ministries of the Government of India.
It also protects 15 seaports, six defence units, 36 oil and natural gas facilities, 17 steel plants, 10 coal mines and several private-sector establishments, among others.
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