CISF Goes Digital: New Camouflage Uniform to be Mandatory by 2028
CISF announces a transition to a new digital camouflage pattern uniform by October 2028, featuring improved fabric and updated accessories.
The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the premier agency responsible for safeguarding India's most critical installations, is undergoing a major visual and functional transformation. The force has officially introduced a new digital Lightweight Field Combat Dress (LFCD), marking a shift toward a modern digital camouflage pattern that will be fully implemented across the entire force by October 1, 2028.
A Phased Transition for 2 Lakh Personnel
With an active strength of nearly 2,00,000 personnel, the CISF is implementing this change in a phased manner. To ensure a smooth transition, a two-year window has been established. During this period, personnel are permitted to continue wearing the existing old-pattern uniforms until the transition is complete.
The initiative received the green light from the current Director General of the CISF, Praveer Ranjan, a 1993-batch AGMUT cadre IPS officer who took command on September 30, 2025, succeeding Rajwinder Singh Bhatti.
Upgraded Fabric and Strict Procurement Rules
The new uniform isn't just about a change in looks; it features a significant upgrade in material. The revised fabric composition is now 80 per cent cotton and 20 per cent polyester, a departure from the previous 50:50 blend, aimed at improving comfort and durability for personnel guarding airports, the Delhi Metro, and various government buildings.
To maintain uniformity and quality, the CISF has issued strict directives regarding how the new gear is obtained:
- No Open Market Purchases: Personnel are strictly prohibited from buying the new LFCD cloth from the open market.
- Authorized Channels: Uniforms must be issued officially by the CISF or procured through the authorized Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars (KPKBs), the MHA's subsidized welfare canteen network.
- Stock Clearance: Zonal stores and Recruit Training Centres (RTCs) have been ordered to exhaust all existing pattern stocks before moving entirely to the digital pattern.
The "Life Cycle" Rule
The force is ensuring that resources are not wasted during this switch. According to an internal circular, the new digital camouflage cloth will only be issued to an individual once the prescribed life of their current existing-pattern cloth has expired. Personnel whose current uniforms are still within their valid lifespan will not be issued the new pattern prematurely.
Revised Accessories and Rank-Based Changes
The change in the primary uniform pattern has triggered a ripple effect on associated gear and headwear, with specific modifications based on rank:
For Senior Commandants and Above:
- Beret: The navy blue beret now features an embroidered CISF badge in silver jari on a navy blue base.
- Sikh Personnel: The khaki pagri now includes a silver jari-embroidered insignia on a navy blue base with a navy blue patti and a black fiftee worn beneath.
- Monkey Caps: These will now be made from the same digital pattern cloth, featuring silver jari-embroidered insignia on a navy blue base.
For Officers up to the Rank of Commandant:
- Beret: A navy blue beret cap equipped with a metal CISF badge.
- Monkey Caps: These will be crafted from the new digital pattern cloth and feature silver jari-embroidered insignia.