Defence awareness

Indian Coast Guard

Guards the coast and sea zones in peace time; rescue and pollution control.

Photo: An Indian Coast Guard ship at sea
An Indian Coast Guard ship at sea. Photo: BellaNYork, CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) protects India's maritime zones and coast in peace time. It works under the Ministry of Defence and is different from the Navy: the Navy prepares for war at sea, the Coast Guard is mainly a law-enforcement and rescue force.

  • RaisedThe Coast Guard was set up in 1977 and made a statutory force by the Coast Guard Act, 1978.
    Raising Day
    1 February
    Motto
    Vayam Rakshamah ("We protect")
  • Main dutiesProtecting offshore areas and fishermen, stopping smuggling and illegal fishing, search and rescue at sea, and fighting oil spills.
  • Head of the forceThe Director General of the Coast Guard. The force is divided into regions along the coast and in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
  • Officer ranksAssistant Commandant, Deputy Commandant, Commandant (Junior Grade), Commandant, Deputy Inspector General, Inspector General, Additional Director General and Director General.
  • How to joinOfficers join through the Coast Guard Common Admission Test (CGCAT) and other entries, and also through the NDA and CDS routes for some branches. Navik (sailor) entries have their own exam. Read the official notice.

Questions students ask

Is the Coast Guard part of the Navy?

No. It is a separate armed force under the Ministry of Defence. It works closely with the Navy.

When is the Coast Guard Raising Day?

On 1 February.

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