ITBP Women Personnel to Be Deployed at Frontline Posts on China Border

India’s women security personnel are set to take a frontline role along the India-China border, with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) planning to build special ‘Mahila Barracks’ at 32 border posts near the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

This will allow women personnel to be deployed at forward locations in Ladakh, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. ITBP is the armed police force responsible for guarding India’s border with China.

All About The Mahila Barracks At Border Posts

According to official documents accessed by CNN-NEWS18, the ITBP will construct Mahila Barracks for the first time at 32 Border Out-Posts (BOPs). Each barrack will have dormitories and double or triple sharing rooms with proper insulation, designed to house around 30 women personnel. Separate accommodation will also be provided for officers.

The barracks will include a central dining area with a fully equipped kitchen and modern toilet facilities. The design will focus on maximising solar heat and protecting against strong winds, keeping in mind the harsh weather conditions along the LAC.

The decision follows ITBP’s recent plan to establish all-women border outposts on the India-China border. At present, the force has around 4,000 women personnel and plans to induct another 1,375 women during the current financial year.

Last month, ITBP Director General Praveen Kumar announced that 10 all-women BOPs would be set up along the LAC as part of the force’s “forwardisation” plan, aimed at strengthening India’s border presence.

Government Support For Women Forces

The push for greater participation of women in border guarding forces began in January 2016, when the central government decided to reserve 33 per cent of constable-level posts for women in the CRPF. For border guarding forces such as the BSF, SSB and ITBP, 14 to 15 per cent of constable posts were reserved for women.

Earlier this month, the government informed Parliament that steps are being taken to ensure safe working conditions for women personnel in Central Armed Police Forces. These include separate accommodation, rest and changing rooms, toilets, creches and day care centres, and women-specific medical support.

The government also said women help desks, confidential complaint mechanisms, gender sensitisation workshops, and flexible duty systems are being put in place. Women personnel are generally deployed in pairs or groups to ensure safety and operational efficiency.