Seaports handling cargo will see the presence of “sovereign” security forces. File. | Photo credit: NIRMAL HARINDRAN
To plug the gaps in coastal security, the Union government has designated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the security regulator for over 250 seaports in the country, a senior government official said on Friday (Nov 21, 2025). The government intends to deploy a “sovereign entity” at private seaports that handle cargo, the official said, bringing them under a unified security architecture.
First, at least 80 seaports that deal with the export and import of goods will be regulated by the CISF to manage access control, cargo screening and coastal patrolling. Seaports handling cargo will see the presence of “sovereign” security forces.
The CISF currently provides security for all 13 major seaports – Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Odisha, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh.
Currently, there is no uniform security template for seaports and in many places security measures are provided by private security agencies and local police.
Coastal security is one of the topics that will be discussed at the Director Generals of Police (DGP) conference organized by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) in Chhattisgarh next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will attend presentations by police officers from across the country.
In 2023, following deliberations at the National Security Strategy Conference, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued guidelines to address seaport security.
On November 18, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued an order designating the CISF as a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) for seaports under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
“Like airports, CISF will be the lead agency for seaports. There are various loopholes and with careful study and audit, the problem areas will be addressed. While the main function at 80 airports handling cargo will be CISF, the other 170 seaports will be secured gradually,” the official said.
According to the CISF estimate, about 800-1,000 personnel are required to be deployed to secure each seaport. The CISF has asked the MHA to sanction 10,000 additional personnel for deployment at 80 seaports.
“There is adequate deployment at the country’s land borders, but we have a long way to go when it comes to coastal security. The areas are open and the security architecture is almost non-existent. Currently, there is no sovereign entity to secure private seaports,” the official added.
This is the outcome of the Joint Committee of CISF and Director General of Shipping, constituted in September 2024, which conducted a comprehensive study of port security, gap analysis and recommended remedial measures to the Government of India.
Under the hybrid security model, core security functions at all EXIM (export-import) ports will be performed by the CISF and ancillary duties such as traffic control, gate control and ancillary duties may be taken over by state police or private security agencies (PSAs).
“This layered approach is designed to improve accountability, efficiency and uniformity of security across the country’s port ecosystem in line with the MHA guidelines for minor port security issued in July 2023,” the official said. CISF will also conduct mandatory training for private security personnel.
Published – 21 Nov 2025 19:48 IST
