CISF Launches Fresh Training Push to Secure India’s Ports

Chennai/New Delhi: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) kicked off a specialised training course for its officers and subordinate officers at Chennai Port Authority on Monday, marking another step in strengthening India’s maritime security setup.

S. Viswanathan, IAS, Deputy Chairman of Chennai Port Authority, inaugurated the five-day programme. Inspector General S.S. Mishra and DIG A.K. Khandelwal were also present. Twenty-nine CISF personnel from different units are attending the course, which focuses on port security assessments, preparing security plans and meeting international maritime standards.

This training comes at a time when CISF has taken on a much larger role in port security. In May this year, the force was designated as a Recognised Security Organisation under the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. It is now responsible for carrying out security assessments and preparing security plans for 264 ports across the country. 

In the first phase during 2026-27, assessments are planned at 27 major and non-major ports handling EXIM cargo.

To meet this responsibility, CISF has been steadily building its internal expertise. So far, 45 officers have completed advanced maritime security training, while another 90 personnel are currently undergoing specialised courses. Once these batches are complete, the force will have a pool of around 135 trained RSO consultants who can independently handle port security assessments and advisory work.

Alongside training its own personnel, CISF has also been running programmes for private security staff and government agencies involved in port protection. Over 2,100 private security personnel and 124 officials from various government agencies, including coastal police, have already completed these courses.

The force is also working on improving security at smaller coastal facilities. It has developed a dedicated security template for fishing harbours, fish landing centres and fishing points, and is preparing guidelines to tighten oversight across the coastal belt.

These efforts are part of the larger push to set up the Bureau of Port Security under the Merchant Shipping Act. As the designated RSO, CISF is expected to play a central role in assessments, planning and capacity building under the new framework.

With India’s ports expanding rapidly to support trade, energy projects and coastal tourism, CISF is focusing on building the professional capabilities needed to keep maritime infrastructure secure in the years ahead.