Team Goemkarponn
DABOLIM: In a landmark initiative aimed at easing financial stress and improving welfare measures, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has announced sweeping reforms that will benefit over 1.6 lakh personnel and their families. The force will also launch an online welfare portal on September 1, 2025, to ensure faster, transparent and hassle-free access to welfare services.
The measures, finalised after extensive consultations with personnel during Sainik Sammelans, include low-interest loans, enhanced scholarships, improved medical support, higher retirement benefits and upgraded allowances for unit-level functions. Over ₹100 crore has been earmarked for welfare schemes, with 80% of the funds dedicated to personnel welfare needs.
Under the revised scheme, personal loans will now carry a flat 3% interest instead of 6%, while medical treatment loans will be available at just 2%. The maximum loan ceiling for purposes such as marriage, housing and education has been raised from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh, with repayment periods extended from three to five years. Medical bills not covered under schemes like Ayushman CAPF and CGHS will now be fully reimbursed from the central welfare fund, replacing the earlier 10% cap. Financial aid will also be extended during Extra Ordinary Leave on medical grounds.
Scholarships have seen a major expansion. The DG Scholarship Scheme, earlier limited to 150 students scoring 90% and above, will now cover all CISF wards scoring over 80%. Students scoring above 80% will receive ₹20,000, while those securing over 90% will get ₹25,000. Wards of martyrs from Class 1 to postgraduate level will now receive scholarships ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000, up from ₹6,000 to ₹18,000, with no cap on beneficiaries.
Retiring personnel will now receive a lump-sum of ₹1.25 lakh as Risk Savings benefits, compared to the earlier ₹75,000–₹80,000. Ex-gratia funeral assistance has also been enhanced from ₹25,000 to ₹35,000. Unit-level allowances have been revised, with refreshment rates for occasions such as Republic Day, Independence Day, CISF Raising Day and retirements increased to ₹50 per head, while special diet allowance for parade participants has been raised from ₹60 to ₹100 per day.
The new online welfare portal will replace the manual system for processing applications, enabling personnel to apply directly for loans, scholarships and medical reimbursements. A custom-built software will manage the contributory welfare fund, ensuring direct electronic transfers within 15 days. Priority will be given to medical loans, followed by marriage, education, housing and other needs.
The CISF has already digitised key welfare processes such as pension settlements, with Pension Payment Orders now issued on the day of retirement, and launched the E-Service Book for personnel to verify and update their service details online.
Senior CISF officers described the reforms as a “decisive step to safeguard the welfare of personnel and their families,” setting a benchmark in welfare governance among paramilitary forces.
