The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is preparing to induct its first all-women commando team into its core operations. This initiative highlights the CISF's commitment to encouraging women's empowerment within the force.

Training for these women commandos has commenced at the CISF's Regional Training Centre (RTC) in Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh. The advanced commando course is an eight-week program designed to prepare the women for Quick Reaction Team (QRT) and Special Task Force (STF) duties at high-security establishments and plants. The training program includes physical fitness, weapons training, live-fire drills under stress, endurance-building exercises (running, obstacle courses), rappelling, survival training in forests, and a 48-hour confidence-building exercise to test decision-making and teamwork under adverse conditions.

The first batch consists of 30 women currently working at various airports. Their training began on August 11 and will continue until October 4, 2025. A second batch will undergo similar training from October 6 to November 29, 2025. Initially, at least 100 women from different Aviation Security Groups (ASGs) and sensitive CISF units will complete the program. Following the training, the women will be primarily deployed at airports, followed by other sensitive installations.

According to a CISF spokesperson, the inclusion of women in core capabilities represents a step towards gender parity, opening up a new operational space that was previously dominated by men. The CISF is also increasing women's recruitment to meet the Ministry of Home Affairs' target of 10% representation. Currently, women make up 8% of the CISF's strength, with 12,491 women in the ranks. An additional 2,400 women will be recruited in 2026. The CISF aims to structure recruitment to ensure women consistently make up at least 10% of the force.