The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is inducting 20, 000 more personnel this year to further increase the strength of the 1.44 lakh strong force that provides security to key installations including nuclear plants, airports and seaports.

This is part of the government's January plan when it enhanced the CISF's strength to 1.80 lakh.

CISF spokesperson Manjit Singh told IANS that 20, 000 personnel, including over 1,700 women, have already been selected to undergo a nine-month training programme from April before their induction into the force.

He said it was one of the biggest recruitment drives in CISF history.

"We have recruited 20, 000 constables this year. The drive was initiated considering the expansion and fulfilment of existing deficiencies in the force," Manjit Singh said.

The selection process was completed by the central government's Staff Selection Commission that is responsible for conducting such examinations.

The CISF is the third largest paramilitary force in India after the Central Reserve Police Force (some three lakh personnel) and the Border Security Force (over 2.70 lakh manpower).
 

With such a major recruitment in one go, the CISF is struggling to manage training of the new recruits.

It has six training centres as well as a Fire Service Training Institute and a National Industrial Security Academy in Hyderabad. Each centre has a capacity to train around 1,500-2, 000 personnel at one time.

The six training centres are at Deoli and Behror in Rajasthan, Mundali in Odisha, Barwaha in Madhya Pradesh, Bhilai in Chhattisgarh and Arakkonam in Tamil Nadu.

The CISF is responsible for providing security at 330 units across India.

These include 59 airports, 12 seaports, Delhi Metro, nuclear reactor plants, space installations, government buildings, monuments, coal mines, steel projects, hydro power projects and several private concerns.

A total of 2,764 personnel were recruited in the CISF in 2016 followed by 3,892 in 2015, 8,826 in 2014, 10,411 in 2013 and 12,500 in 2012.