NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting in Friday for the constitution of Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), an overarching agency responsible for regulation and oversight functions related to the security of ships and port facilities across the country.The setting up of BoPS, which will be modelled after Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS) that regulates the security of aircraft and airports, comes a month after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) being designated as the recognised security organisation for port facilities. CISF will be undertaking security assessments and preparing security plans for ports.Shah, at Friday’s meeting attended by the Union ministers for ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) and civil aviation, emphasised upon the need to establish a robust port security framework across the country. He directed that security measures be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters.BoPS, which will function under the aegis of MoPSW, shall ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cyber security, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats. The creation of a dedicated port security eco-system aligns with the govt’s vision of port-led growth as it focuses on a ‘blue economy’ as a key driver of economic expansion. A home ministry release said BoPS shall be constituted as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The bureau shall be headed by a director general, who will be an IPS officer. CISF has already been mandated to train and build the capacities of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security. These agencies shall be certified and appropriate measures shall be introduced to ensure that only licenced PSAs operate in this sector. There are around 77 EXIM ports in the country, including 12 major and around 65 non-major ports. Also, there are around 200 minor ports where no cargo is handled as of now.About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosVaping, Bhow-Bhow & Shouting Match: A Look At Viral Moments Of Parl As Chaotic Winter Session EndsBondi Beach Terror Suspect Visited Hyderabad Six Times After Leaving India, Telangana Police Reveal’To Delay Elections, Instigate India’: Former Minister Blames Yunus Govt For Bangladesh ViolenceBangladesh Crisis: Tharoor Panel Red Flags 5 Reasons That Make It India’s Biggest Test Since 1971Rijiju Blames Congress As Parliament Session Ends Without Pollution Debate, Jairam Ramesh RespondsBangladesh: Hindu Man Lynching Sparks Outrage, Former Indian Envoy Calls Situation Total MobocracyExplained: Why Bangladesh’s Fresh Unrest Ahead Of Polls Is One Of India’s Biggest Strategic WorriesWho Was Sharif Osman Hadi, The Anti-India Face Of Bangladesh Whose Death Has Set Dhaka AblazePakistan Embarrassed Globally As Saudi Deports 56000 Beggars Despite No Fly Lists And Warnings’Countries Like Us Must Stick Together’: Jaishankar And Dutch FM On Strengthening India-EU Ties123Photostories17 one-pot rice dishes for winter months5 gym mistakes that can put heart health at riskFrom Labubu dolls to Prada Kolhapuris: 5 viral fashion moments of 2025 that broke the internetHarrison Ford, aging gracefully at 83: 6 habits behind his long-term vitalityNot just reindeer: 5 animals that make Christmas specialExclusive – Bigg Boss 19 Winner Gaurav Khanna on the dull phase in his career, facing hate from Farrhana, and reacting to trolls targeting wife Akanksha over her choice to not have childrenFrom Samosa to White Butter: Kareena Kapoor’s cheat meals to try this winter10 countries that feature birds and animals on their national flagsTV actors who spoke about body shaming: From Ashnoor Kaur to Tejasswi PrakashYear ender 2025: From Katrina–Vicky to Kiara–Sidharth, celebrity couples who stepped into parenthood this year123Hot Picksvb g ram gICICI Prudential AMCUAE RainGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJosh Allen Luxury Car CollectionRandi MahomesAuston MatthewsWho is Nicole LundersJeremy Doku and Shireen Doku Net WorthZachary BolducQuinn HutsonJake PaulCalvin PickardCristiano Ronaldo
NEW DELHI: Home minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting in Friday for the constitution of Bureau of Port Security (BoPS), an overarching agency responsible for regulation and oversight functions related to the security of ships and port facilities across the country.The setting up of BoPS, which will be modelled after Bureau of Civil Aviation (BCAS) that regulates the security of aircraft and airports, comes a month after the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) being designated as the recognised security organisation for port facilities. CISF will be undertaking security assessments and preparing security plans for ports.Shah, at Friday’s meeting attended by the Union ministers for ministry of ports, shipping and waterways (MoPSW) and civil aviation, emphasised upon the need to establish a robust port security framework across the country. He directed that security measures be implemented in a graded and risk-based manner, taking into account vulnerabilities, trade potential, location, and other relevant parameters.BoPS, which will function under the aegis of MoPSW, shall ensure timely analysis, collection and exchange of security-related information, with a special focus on cyber security, including a dedicated division to safeguard port IT infrastructure from digital threats. The creation of a dedicated port security eco-system aligns with the govt’s vision of port-led growth as it focuses on a ‘blue economy’ as a key driver of economic expansion. A home ministry release said BoPS shall be constituted as a statutory body under the provisions of Section 13 of the newly promulgated Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The bureau shall be headed by a director general, who will be an IPS officer. CISF has already been mandated to train and build the capacities of private security agencies (PSAs) engaged in port security. These agencies shall be certified and appropriate measures shall be introduced to ensure that only licenced PSAs operate in this sector. There are around 77 EXIM ports in the country, including 12 major and around 65 non-major ports. Also, there are around 200 minor ports where no cargo is handled as of now.
