On National Engineers’ Day, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) entered into two landmark partnerships with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) aimed at enhancing India’s preparedness against emerging technology‑driven threats. 

The agreements, signed on September 15, 2026, focus on cyber security training and the establishment of a Centre of Excellence in Drone and Anti‑Drone Technology.

The first MoU, signed with C3iHub (IHUB NTIHAC Foundation, IIT Kanpur), provides for a six‑week residential cyber security training programme under a three‑year framework. Each batch will train forty CISF personnel in areas such as critical information infrastructure protection, sector‑specific cyber threats in aviation, power and nuclear domains, digital forensics, incident detection and response, disaster recovery, and emerging risks involving AI, deepfakes, IoT, cloud and operational technology. Multi‑sector crisis simulations will also be part of the curriculum. The programme will be conducted free of cost, underscoring IIT Kanpur’s commitment to national security.

The second MoU establishes a Centre of Excellence at CISF MPRTC, Behror, Rajasthan, under a five‑year framework. This centre will focus on drone operations, counter‑drone systems, UAV forensics, and cyber security of unmanned platforms. Joint research will cover rogue‑drone analysis, RF and micro‑Doppler detection, integrated counter‑UAS systems, and high‑altitude operations. The collaboration will also develop simulators, forensic laboratories, and technical infrastructure to support sustained training and applied research.

Officials emphasized that these initiatives align with the vision articulated by the Prime Minister during the DsGP/IsGP Conference 2024 and the directives of the Union Home Minister to build cyber‑capable security forces and strengthen dedicated cyber commando units within CAPFs and State Police.

The partnerships expand CISF’s institutional network, which already includes collaborations with IIT Madras, IIT Ropar, IIITDM Kancheepuram, and the Drone Federation of India. Together, they aim to build indigenous technological solutions under the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, ensuring India’s critical infrastructure remains secure against evolving threats.

By combining academic expertise with operational experience, the CISF–IIT Kanpur collaboration is expected to set new benchmarks in cyber defence and drone countermeasures, symbolizing a decisive step toward building a future‑ready force.