Indian government sets up Statutory Bureau of Port Security — A pivotal change for India’s maritime security

Recently on 19th December 2025, Indian government announced the creation of a dedicated Bureau of Port Security (BoPS) — a statutory authority aimed at strengthening the oversight, coordination, and resilience of port and vessel security across the nation. This will fortify India’s maritime security.

Why its needed and its importance -

• Trade and exim business is an important share of Indian economy thus India needs to secure them for future from all type of threats including attacks/ cyber intrusion etc.

• India’s maritime infrastructure includes coastline of approx. 7,500 km - 12 major ports and many non-major ports.

• By creating a unified statutory body, the government aims to establish a future-ready maritime security framework which will be ready for both traditional and emerging challenges.

  
  

What will be BoPS - Bureau of Port Security

• BoPS will come under Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

• It will be leaded by a Director General level Person, an IPS officer of Pay level 15.
  it will be a statutory body under Section 13 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and will have the power to formulate, enforce, and oversee port security regulations across India’s maritime infrastructure.

• It will also have a separate cyber security division.

• The ground level security will be taken care by CISF – Central Industrial Security Forces.

• It will align with International standards.

This is an era of maritime trade and BoPS foundation reflects India’s commitment to securing its shores, protecting global supply chain, to be a maritime power.

(Image credit - AI)