New Delhi: In a major step towards gender parity and operational inclusion, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) is set to induct its first-ever all-women commando unit for front-line roles.

Training for the inaugural batch of 30 women commandos began on August 11 at the Regional Training Centre in Barwaha, Madhya Pradesh. The eight-week advanced commando course will conclude on October 4.
The programme covers weapons handling, live-fire drills under stress, rappelling, forest survival, obstacle courses and a 48-hour exercise to test endurance and decision-making. A second batch will undergo training from October 6 to November 29.
Initially, 100 women personnel from Aviation Security Groups and sensitive CISF units will complete the programme. Post-training, they will be deployed at airports and other high-security installations.

The CISF currently has 12,491 women, comprising 8 per cent of its strength, and plans to recruit 2,400 more in 2026 to meet the Home Ministry's 10 per cent target.