CISF rolls out new digital camouflage LFCD, complete uniform switch due by October 2028

New Delhi, November 6, 2026: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has begun rolling out a new digital Lightweight Field Combat Dress (LFCD) across the force, setting a two-year transition period for personnel to move from the existing uniform pattern to the newly approved design by October 1, 2028.

The change applies to the force’s nearly 2,00,000 active personnel, who may continue wearing the old pattern uniform during the transition. The CISF, which is responsible for security at vital installations across the country including airports, the Delhi Metro and government buildings, issued an internal circular in September outlining the implementation of the new dress code and the safeguards attached to it.

The new LFCD cloth has a revised fabric composition of 80 per cent cotton and 20 per cent polyester, replacing the current 50:50 blend. According to the circular, all unit commanders have been instructed to widely disseminate the order and ensure that personnel do not buy the new cloth from the open market.

The force has directed that LFCD cloth be obtained only through official CISF issue or through authorised Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars (KPKBs), the welfare and canteen network run under the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide essential items at subsidised rates. Unit commanders have been specifically asked to make personnel aware of this restriction.

The initiative was approved by CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan, a 1993-batch AGMUT cadre Indian Police Service officer who took charge as head of the force on September 30, 2025, succeeding Rajwinder Singh Bhatti.

To speed up the transition, the circular instructs all zonal stores, Recruit Training Centres (RTCs) and units to issue the existing pattern cloth to eligible personnel and bring old stock down to nil. Sector Headquarters have been asked to submit a certificate confirming this within 15 days of the circular’s issue.

From now on, procurement of LFCD cloth through the public tendering process will be limited to the newly approved digital camouflage pattern. The circular also makes clear that the new pattern will be issued only after the existing issued cloth has completed its prescribed life. “Under no circumstances, personnel who have already been issued the existing pattern LFCD cloth and whose prescribed life is still valid, shall be issued the new digital pattern cloth,” it states.

The revised uniform has also led to changes in several associated items. These include the navy blue beret cap and khaki pagri for Sikh personnel in the rank of Senior Commandant and above, along with monkey caps, nameplates, title shoulder badges, stars and ranks, gorget patches, belts, shoes and anklets.

For officers posted at force headquarters, sector headquarters, zonal headquarters and group centre headquarters, the new uniform will also feature a CISF monogram embroidered in golden jari on a black base and attached with Velcro on the upper right chest above the name tab.

The dress will additionally include a round-neck T-shirt in medium green, to be worn under the LFCD by all officers regardless of their place or nature of duty.

Because procurement through the tendering route is expected to take time, the CISF welfare department has been tasked with helping introduce the new digital-pattern cloth at the earliest through KPKBs. Personnel who wish to do so may purchase the new cloth from KPKBs at their own cost and then have the uniform stitched strictly according to the approved design and pattern.