New Delhi, November 6, 2026: The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has introduced a new digital Lightweight Field Combat Dress (LFCD) across the force. The force has fixed a phase-wise implementation with a transition period of two years up to October 1, 2028, for a complete switchover from the existing pattern.
During the transition period, CISF personnel with an active strength of nearly 2,00,000 may continue to wear the existing (old pattern) uniform.
The new cloth comprises a revised fabric composition of 80 per cent cotton and 20 per cent polyester, replacing the existing 50:50 composition. An internal circular in this regard was issued in September to different departments of the force, which is mandated to provide security at vital installations across the country, including airports, the Delhi Metro, and government buildings.
Through the circular, all unit commanders were directed to disseminate wide publication and create maximum awareness among force personnel regarding the prohibition on purchase of the new LFCD cloth from the open market. Unit commanders have been specifically directed to ensure that all personnel use LFCD cloth officially issued by the CISF or procure it only through the authorised Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandars (KPKBs) the welfare and canteen network established by the Ministry of Home Affairs to provide essential items at subsidised rates.
The initiative was approved by CISF Director General Praveer Ranjan, a 1993-batch AGMUT cadre Indian Police Service officer, who assumed charge as chief of the force on September 30, 2025, succeeding Rajwinder Singh Bhatti.
To ensure a smooth and expeditious transition, all zonal stores, Recruit Training Centres (RTCs), and units have been instructed to issue the existing pattern cloth to eligible personnel and immediately bring the stock to nil. Sector Headquarters were asked to furnish a certificate to this effect within 15 days of the issuance of the internal circular.
With the introduction of the new digital camouflage pattern, public procurement of LFCD cloth shall henceforth be undertaken only for the newly approved digital camouflage pattern. The circular clearly states that the new pattern LFCD cloth shall be issued to an individual only after the completion of the prescribed life of the existing issued cloth. “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,” the circular reads.
A transition period of two years up to October 1, 2028, has been fixed for the complete switchover from the existing pattern to the new digital pattern LFCD uniform across the force.
Consequent upon the change in colour and pattern of the LFCD uniform, the colours of the associated articles have also been revised. For officers in the rank of Senior Commandant and above, the navy blue beret cap and khaki pagri for Sikh personnel have been revised. Changes have also been made to monkey caps, nameplates, title shoulder badges, stars and ranks, gorget patches, belts, shoes, and anklets. A CISF monogram embroidered in golden jari on a black base, affixed with Velcro on the upper right chest above the name tab, will form part of the uniform for officers deployed at force headquarters, sector headquarters, zonal headquarters, and group centre headquarters.
The new uniform will include a round-neck T-shirt matching the medium green colour of the LFCD cloth, to be worn under the LFCD by all officers irrespective of their place or nature of duty.
Since procurement of the new digital pattern LFCD cloth through the tendering process is likely to take some time, the CISF welfare department has been entrusted with facilitating its early introduction through KPKBs. Interested personnel may procure the new digital pattern LFCD cloth from KPKBs at their own cost and get the uniform stitched strictly in accordance with the approved design and pattern.
