Govt sanctions first all-women reserve battalion for CISF

A first-ever all-women CISF battalion comprising more than 1,000 personnel has been sanctioned by the Union government keeping in mind the burgeoning duties of the force in VIP security, airports and other vital installations.

Officials told PTI that the unit will be raised from within the sanctioned manpower of the force of about two lakh personnel.

The Union home ministry issued a sanction order on Monday approving an exclusive women unit called "reserve battalion" in the force with a total strength of 1,025 personnel led by a senior commandant-rank officer, they said.

Women personnel constitute over seven per cent of the force whose present strength is about 1.80 lakh.

A force spokesperson said preparations for the early recruitment, training and selection of location for stationing the new reserve battalion has been initiated.