**Executive Summary**
This document answers unstarred question number 2681 in the Lok Sabha, concerning CISF security at seaports. It clarifies the roles of different organizations in regulating and overseeing seaport security, as well as the process for determining CISF manpower needs. The question was slated to be answered on December 16, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Security Authority:**
* The Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the designated authority for regulations of security of ship and port facilities.
* This designation is per a Central Government notification under Section 7 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
* The CISF has been designated as Recognized Security Organization (RSO) for Ports as envisaged under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code 2021.
* **Security Oversight and Assessment:**
* The Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways oversees International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) code compliance and conducts security assessments.
* Security arrangements are based on security assessments and port facility security plans.
* Uniform security templates are widely followed across seaports.
* These are observed by a joint Committee of CISF and Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
* **CISF Manpower:**
* The requirement for additional CISF manpower at ports is decided based on a joint survey conducted by the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, CISF, and the Port Management concerned.
**Impact Analysis**
**Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways**
* **Impact:** The Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the primary authority for regulating security. They also oversee ISPS code compliance and conduct security assessments.
* **Action Required:** They should continue to enforce regulations, oversee ISPS compliance, and conduct security assessments.
**CISF**
* **Impact:** The CISF is designated as Recognized Security Organisation. The CISF is involved in assessing manpower needs for port security.
* **Action Required:** Participate in joint surveys to determine the necessary manpower and collaborate with the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on security assessments.
**Port Management**
* **Impact:** The Port Management is responsible for security, as assessed by the joint survey of CISF and Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
* **Action Required:** Participate in joint surveys to determine manpower needs, and implement agreed-upon security measures.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): Designated as the security regulator for seaports and a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) for ports.
Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: Designated authority for regulations of security of ship and port facilities, oversees ISPS code compliance, and conducts security assessments.
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Section 7 of this Act is referenced regarding the notification related to security of ship and port facilities.
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code 2021: The code under which CISF is designated as a Recognized Security Organization (RSO) for Ports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2681
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16TH DECEMBER, 2025/ AGRAHAYANA 25, 1947
(SAKA)
CISF SECURITY AT SEAPORTS
2681. SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M.:
Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has designated the Central Industrial Security
Force (CISF) as the security regulator for over 250 seaports in the country;
(b) whether presently there is no uniform security template for seaports and
at many places the security arrangements are being handled by private
security agencies and local police;
(c) whether it is also a fact that the Government has issued guidelines to
handle seaport security;
(d) whether the CISF has requested the Government to sanction 10, 000
additional personnel for deploymnet to 80 seaports; and
(e) if so, the details and steps taken in this regard?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI NITYANAND RAI)
(a): The Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways is the designated authority for regulations of security of ship and
port facilities as per notification issued by the Central Government under
Section 7 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Further, CISF has been-2-
L.S.US.Q.NO. 2681 FOR 16.12.2025
designated as Recognized Security Organization (RSO) for Ports as envisaged
under the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code 2021.
(b) & (c): The Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways overseas the International Ship and Port Facility Security
(ISPS) code compliance in the ports and conduct security assessments
considering the threat perception. Based on the security assessment and port
facility security plans, security arrangements are made in the ports. Further,
uniform security templates are widely followed across seaports, as observed
by a joint Committee of CISF and Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of
Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
(d) & (e): Requirement of additional manpower of CISF at ports is decided
on the basis of joint survey as conducted by Directorate General of Shipping,
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, CISF and Port Management
concerned.
******