Indian Coast Guard

{{short description|Maritime security force of India}} {{EngvarB|date=June 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}} {{Infobox law enforcement agency | agencyname = Indian Coast Guard | nativenamea =  | abbreviation = ICG | logo = File:Indian Coast Guard Logo.svg | logocaption = Indian Coast Guard crest | badge = File:Indian Coast Guard racing stripe.svg | badgecaption = Racing stripe | flag = File:Indian Coast Guard flag.svg | flagcaption = Ensign | imagesize = | motto = {{native phrase|sa|वयम् रक्षामः|italics=off}}<br>{{transliteration|sa|ISO|Vayam Rakṣāmaḥ}} (ISO)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sanskrit.samskrutam.com/en.grammar-tutorial-reference-dhaaturupa.ashx |title=Grammar Tutorial ::: Reference – Verb Forms / धारुरूप / dhaaturuupa |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310170343/http://sanskrit.samskrutam.com/en.grammar-tutorial-reference-dhaaturupa.ashx |archive-date=10 March 2016 |access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> | mottotranslated = We Protect | formed = {{start date and age|1978|08|18|df=y}} | preceding1 =  | dissolved = | superseding = | employees = 13,842 sanctioned strength (2018–19)<ref name="strength">{{Cite web |last1=Behera |first1=Laxman Kumar |last2=Kaushal |first2=Vinay |date=4 August 2020 |title=Estimating India's Defence Manpower |url=https://idsa.in/issuebrief/estimating-indias-defence-manpower-040820 |access-date=2022-02-02 |website= |publisher=Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses}}</ref> | volunteers = | budget = {{INRConvert|9676|c}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 February 2025 |title=A record over Rs 6.81 lakh crore allocated in Union Budget 2025-26 for MoD, an increase of 9.53% from current Financial Year |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2098485 |access-date=24 August 2025 |website=Press Information Bureau}}</ref> | legalpersonality = Law enforcement | country = India | governingbody = Government of India | governingbodyscnd = | constitution1 = The Coast Guard Act, 1978 | speciality1 = coast | overviewtype = | overviewbody = | headquarters = Indian Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi | minister1name = | minister1pfo = | chief1name = Paramesh Sivamani | chief1position = Director General<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/s-paramesh-appointed-new-chief-of-indian-coast-guard/articleshow/114221123.cms|title=S Paramesh appointed new chief of Indian Coast Guard|date=2024-10-14|access-date=2024-10-16|publisher=Times of India}}</ref> | chief2name = | chief2position = | chief3name = | chief3position = Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard) | chief4name = | title = | chief4position = Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard) | parentagency = Ministry of Defence | boats1 = *4 pollution control vessels *25 offshore patrol vessels *43 fast patrol vessels *82 patrol boats *28 patrol craft *14 hovercraft *06 Aux barge | aircraft1 = 77 aircraft<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-11-26 |title=Indian Coast Guard looks for new helicopters, rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicles |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/indian-coast-guard-looks-for-new-helicopters-rotary-unmanned-aerial-vehicles/article66187739.ece |access-date=2023-08-15 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> | anniversary1 = Coast Guard Day: 1 February | website = {{Official URL}} | footnotes = | reference = }} The '''Indian Coast Guard''' ('''ICG''') is a maritime law enforcement and search and rescue agency for India with jurisdiction over its territorial waters, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone. It was started in February 1977 and formally established in August 1978 by the ''Coast Guard Act, 1978'' of the Parliament of India.<ref name="act">{{cite act |url=https://indiacode.nic.in/handle/123456789/1734 |title=The Coast Guard Act |year=1978 |index= |legislature=Parliament of India}}</ref> It operates under the Ministry of Defence.<ref name=mod-depts>{{cite web |url=http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/welcome.html |title=About the Ministry |publisher=Ministry of Defence, Government of India |access-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509001243/http://mod.nic.in/aboutus/welcome.html |archive-date=9 May 2012}}</ref>

The ICG works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs), and the Coastal Police of the State Police Forces, and the Central Armed Police Forces.

==History== The establishment of the Indian Coast Guard was first proposed by the Indian Navy to provide non-military maritime services to the nation.<ref name="icg-mh">{{cite web |title=History |url=http://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/290_3_History.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806112406/http://www.indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/290_3_History.aspx |archive-date=6 August 2016 |publisher=Indian Coast Guard}}</ref> In the 1960s, sea-borne smuggling of goods was threatening to destroy India's domestic economy. The Indian Customs Department frequently called upon the Indian Navy for assistance with patrol and interception in the anti-smuggling effort.

The Nagchaudhuri Committee was constituted with participation from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force to study the problem. In August 1971, the committee identified the requirement to patrol India's vast coastline, set up a registry of offshore fishing vessels to identify illegal activity, and establish a capable and well-equipped force to intercept vessels engaged in illegal activities. The committee also looked at the number and nature of the equipment, infrastructure, and personnel required to provide those services.<ref name=icg-mh/> thumb|Indian Coast Guard promotional movie launched on the eve of 46th raising day|alt=|right By 1973, India had started a programme to acquire the equipment and started deputing personnel from the Indian Navy for these anti-smuggling and law enforcement tasks, under the provisions of the Maintenance of Internal Security Act. The Indian Navy sensed that the law enforcement nature of these duties diverged from its core mission as a military service. Admiral Sourendra Nath Kohli, then Chief of Naval Staff, made a recommendation to the Defence Secretary, outlining the need for a separate maritime service to undertake those duties and offering the Navy's assistance in its establishment. In August 1974, the Defence Secretary submitted a note to the Cabinet Secretary proposing cabinet action on Admiral Kohli's recommendation.

As a result, in September 1974, the Indian cabinet set up the ''Rustamji Committee'', under the chairmanship of Khusro Faramurz Rustamji, with participation from the Navy, the Air Force and the Department of Revenue to examine gaps in security and law enforcement between the roles of the Indian Navy and the central and state police forces. The discovery of oil off Bombay High further emphasised the need for a maritime law enforcement and protection service.<ref name=icg-mh/>

In July 1975, the committee submitted its recommendation for the establishment of the Indian Coast Guard under the Ministry of Defence. Bureaucratic wrangling followed, with the Cabinet Secretary making a recommendation to place the service under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi overruled the Cabinet Secretary and decided to accept the original recommendation of the Rustamji Committee to place the service under the Ministry of Defence.<ref name=icg-mh/>

In February 1977, an interim Indian Coast Guard came into being, equipped with two small corvettes and five patrol boats transferred from the Navy. The duties and functions of the service were defined in the ''Coast Guard Act'', which was passed by India's parliament in August 1978 and came into immediate effect.<ref name="act"/>

Vice Admiral V. A. Kamath of the Indian Navy was appointed the founding Director-General. Prime Minister Morarji Desai inspected the Guard of Honour at the service's inauguration. In 1984, Vice Admiral Kamath proposed a five-year plan to develop the ICG into a potent force. The full potential of this plan was not immediately realised due to an economic resource crunch.<ref name=icg-mh/>

One of the historic operational successes of the ICG occurred in October 1999, with the recapture at high seas of a Panamanian-registered Japanese cargo ship, ''MV Alondra Rainbow'', hijacked off Indonesia. Her crew was rescued off Phuket, Thailand. The ship had been repainted as MV ''Mega Rama'', and was spotted off Kochi, heading towards Pakistan. She was chased by ''ICGS Tarabai'' and {{ship|INS|Prahar|K98}} of the Indian Navy and apprehended.<ref name=saa-alondra>{{cite web |url=http://www.southasiaanalysis.org/%5Cpapers14%5Cpaper1379.html |title=Alondra Rainbow revisited, A Study of related issues in the light of the recent judgment of Mumbai High Court |publisher=South Asia Analysis Group |date=13 May 2005 |access-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128110221/http://southasiaanalysis.org/papers14/paper1379.html |archive-date=28 November 2010}}</ref> It was the first successful prosecution of armed pirates in over a century. thumb|Indian Coast Guard ship and helicopter during the Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise (SAREX), 2014|alt=|right

The Indian Coast Guard conducts exercises with the other coast guards of the world. In May 2005, the ICG agreed to establish liaison links with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA). In 2006, the Indian Coast Guard conducted exercises with its Japanese and Korean counterparts.

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which the terrorists entered India from Pakistan via the sea route, the Indian government initiated a program to expand the ICG force, assets, and infrastructure for enhanced protection and surveillance of Indian waters.

The force aims to have 200 ships and 100 twin-engined aircraft by 2030 in its fleet. As of January 2025, ICG deploys 55 to 60 ships and 10 to 12 aircraft daily.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard to be much bigger by 2030 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indian-coast-guard-to-be-much-bigger-by-2030-3382319 |access-date=2025-02-04 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

==Present scenario ==

===Current role=== [[File:ICSG Amulya (258) during a patrol.jpg|thumb|ICGS Amulya on patrol.]] The Indian Coast Guard's motto is "वयम रक्षामः" (''Vayam Rakshamah''), which translates from Sanskrit as ''"We Protect"''.

Missions of Indian Coast Guard:<ref name="icg-mission">{{cite web |title=Mission and Motto |url=http://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/248_3_Mission.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160716031118/http://www.indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/248_3_Mission.aspx |archive-date=16 July 2016 |access-date=25 July 2016 |publisher=Indian Coast Guard}}</ref> * Safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals, and other installations * Protection and assistance to fishermen and mariners at sea * Preservation and protection of marine ecology and environment including pollution control * Assistance to the Department of Customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations * Law enforcement in territorial as well as international waters * Scientific data collection and support * National defence during hostilities (under the operational control of the Indian Navy)

Additional responsibilities of the Indian Coast Guard:<ref>{{cite web |date=2011–2012 |title=Performance of Coast Guard Organisation |url=http://www.rgics.org/test/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Defence-Coast-Guard-Organisationt..pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427214542/http://www.rgics.org/test/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Defence-Coast-Guard-Organisationt..pdf |archive-date=27 April 2014 |access-date=2013-09-17 |publisher=Standing Committee on Defence, Lok Sabha Secretariat}}</ref> * Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) – The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard is the Chairman of OSCC, constituted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), of which the Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group is a member. * National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinating Authority (NMSARCA) – The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard is the NMSARCA for executing/coordinating search and rescue (SAR) missions * Lead Intelligence Agency (LIA) – For coastal and sea borders * Coastal Security – The Director-General of the Indian Coast Guard is the commander of coastal command and is responsible for overall coordination between central and state agencies in all matters relating to coastal security

===Leadership and organisation=== {{main|Director General of the Indian Coast Guard}} thumb|26th Director General of Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani

The Indian Coast Guard organisation is headed by the Director-General (DG ICG), who is located at Coast Guard Headquarters (CGHQ), New Delhi. At CGHQ, he is assisted by the Additional Director General Coast Guard (ADGCG) of the rank of ADG, four Deputy Director-Generals of the rank of Inspector-General, and other senior officers heading staff divisions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard Gets First 3-Star officer |url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/1069/indian-coast-guard-gets-first-3-star-officer.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213243/http://www.defencenow.com/news/1069/indian-coast-guard-gets-first-3-star-officer.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=26 November 2014 |publisher=Defence Now}}</ref>

Director General Paramesh Sivamani is the 26th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. The rank of Director General is equivalent to a Vice Admiral of Indian Navy.<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard Gets First 3-Star officer |url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/1069/indian-coast-guard-gets-first-3-star-officer.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213243/http://www.defencenow.com/news/1069/indian-coast-guard-gets-first-3-star-officer.html |archive-date=23 September 2015 |access-date=26 November 2014 |publisher=Defence Now}}</ref>

The Indian Coast Guard has the Western and Eastern Seaboard, both commanded by three-star officers designated Coast Guard Commander Western Seaboard and Coast Guard Commander Eastern Seaboard. The seaboards are divided into four regions. A fifth region, the Andaman & Nicobar Region, reports directly to the DGICG.

Each region is headed by an officer of the rank of Inspector-General. Each of the regions is further divided into multiple districts, typically covering a coastal state or a union territory.

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" | Coast Guard Seaboards ! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | HQ location ! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Seaboard Commander |- |Western Seaboard ||Mumbai || ADG M.V Pathak,PTM, TM |- |Eastern Seaboard ||Visakapatanam|| ADG Donny Michael, AVSM, PTM, TM |}

{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! scope="col" style="width: 300px;" | Coast Guard regions ! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | Regional HQ location ! scope="col" style="width: 200px;" | Regional commander |- |North-West Region (NW) || Gandhinagar ||IG T Sashi Kumar, TM |- |Western Region (W) ||Mumbai || IG Bhisham Sharma, PTM TM |- |Eastern Region (E) ||Chennai || IG Y Dhaka, TM |- |North-East Region (NE) || Kolkata || IG IS Chauhan, TM |- |Andaman & Nicobar Region (A&N) || Port Blair ||IG Neeraj Tiwari, TM |}

As of 2023, the Indian Coast Guard operates:<ref>{{cite web |title=CG Organisation |publisher=Indian Coast Guard |url=https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/289_3_CGOrganisation.aspx}}</ref> * 42 Coast Guard Stations * 5 Coast Guard Air Stations * 10 Coast Guard Air Enclaves

==Organisation== [[File:Coast Guard Office.jpg|thumb|Coast Guard DHQ-4 Headquarters in Kochi, Kerala]] In 2016, there were 42 Coast Guard stations along the Indian coastline.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CG Organisation:Indian Coast Guard |url=https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/289_3_CGOrganisation.aspx |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=indiancoastguard.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Coast Guard Stations |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=144979 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>

Indian Coast Guard is responsible for the execution of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations in the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR). To serve this purpose, ICG operates 3 Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCC) in Mumbai, Chennai and Port Blair and 36 Maritime Rescue Sub Centres (MRSC/MRCSC), which operates under their respective MRCCs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NATIONAL MARITIME SEARCH AND RESCUE COORDINATING AUTHORITY (NMSRCA) |url=https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/447_3_NMSARCA.aspx |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=indiancoastguard.gov.in}}</ref>

In November 2024, the Indian Coast Guard and the Telecommunications Consultants India (TICL) laid the foundation of a full-fledged "Tier-3" Data Centre at Mahipalpur, Delhi. The construction will take 2 years. The project worth {{INRConvert|588|c|lk=on|year=2024}} (including 5-year operational expenditure (opex) and a 2-year hardware warranty) will be carried out by TCIL, Yotta Infrastructure, and Attero, a software solution company. This will help ICG for Command and Control over their 109 offices and 88 ships at once.<ref>{{Cite web |last=www.ETTelecom.com |title=TCIL, Indian Coast Guard lay foundation stone of a new data centre - ET Telecom |url=https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/tcil-indian-coast-guards-lay-foundation-stone-of-a-new-data-centre/114974261 |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=ETTelecom.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=ICG lays foundation stone for the Tier-III Data Centre of Project Digital Coast Guard in New Delhi |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2071089 |access-date=2024-11-06 |website=PIB}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" !Regional HQ !District HQ !Coast Guard Station |- | rowspan="8" |North-East Region (NE) CGRHQ Kolkata<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organisation (North East) {{!}} Official Website of Indian Coast Guard Head Quarters, New Delhi, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. |url=https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/north-east/organisation-north-east |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250920111243/https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/north-east/organisation-north-east |archive-date=2025-09-20 |access-date=2025-09-20 |website=indiancoastguard.gov.in}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |CGRHQ |ICGS Kolkata |- |CGAE Kolkata (700 Squadron) |- | rowspan="3" |DHQ-7 Paradip |ICGS Paradip |- |ICGS Gopalpur<ref>{{Cite web |title=ICGS Gopalpur commissioned |url=https://www.spsmai.com/military/?id=1979&q=ICGS-Gopalpur-commissioned |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=www.spsmai.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |CGAE Bhubaneswar<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2014-12-16 |title=Coast Guard Air Enclave at City Airport |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/2014/Dec/16/coast-guard-air-enclave-at-city-airport-694764.html |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> (743 Squadron) |- | rowspan="3" |DHQ-8 Haldia |ICGS Haldia |- |ICGS Frazerganj (includes FOB)<ref>{{Cite news |date=2014-04-14 |title=Indian Coast Guard Station (ICGS) Frazerganj, the 42nd CG station commissioned to serve as a new Forward Operating Base in South 24-Parganas district of West Bengal, which will serve as a hub for coastal security operations in the sea areas off Sunderban. |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indian-coast-guard-station-icgs-frazerganj-the-42nd-cg-station-commissioned-to-serve-as-a-new-forward-operating-base-in-south-24-parganas-district-of-west-bengal-which-will-serve-as-a-hub-for-coastal-security-operations-in-the-sea-areas-off-sunderban-/articleshow/33739690.cms |access-date=2024-05-23 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> |- |CGAE Kolkata (700 Squadron) |- | rowspan="13" |Eastern Region (E) CGRHQ Chennai<ref>{{Cite web |title=Organisation (East) {{!}} Official Website of Indian Coast Guard Head Quarters, New Delhi, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. |url=https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/east/organisation-east |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251005054559/https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/east/organisation-east |archive-date=2025-10-05 |access-date=2025-10-05 |website=indiancoastguard.gov.in}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |DHQ-5 Chennai | CGAS Chennai<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard Air Station - Chennai |url=https://wikimapia.org/5249983/Indian-Coast-Guard-Air-Station |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=wikimapia.org |language=en}}</ref> (848, 744 Squadron) |- | ICGS Chennai (includes MRCC and RMPC{{Efn|Regional Maritime Pollution Response Centre}})<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2024-08-18 |title=Rajnath Singh inaugurates new maritime rescue coordination centre in Chennai |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/rajnath-singh-inaugurates-new-maritime-rescue-coordination-centre-in-chennai/article68540170.ece |access-date=2024-08-19 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> |- | rowspan="5" |DHQ-6 Visakhapatnam | ICGS Visakhapatnam |- | ICGS Kakinada |- | ICGS Krishnapatnam |- | ICGS Nizampatnam |- | CGAE Visakhapatnam (Proposed)<ref>{{Cite news |title=Coast Guard to Set Up Air-enclave in Vishakapatnam |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Coast-Guard-to-Set-Up-Air-enclave-in-Vishakapatnam/2016/01/31/article3254026.ece |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201095831/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra_pradesh/Coast-Guard-to-Set-Up-Air-enclave-in-Vishakapatnam/2016/01/31/article3254026.ece |archive-date=1 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/city-to-have-icg-air-enclave-by-2018-end/articleshow/56900108.cms |title=Visakhapatnam to have Indian Coast Guard air enclave by 2018-end – Times of India|newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=2017-02-10 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170212043854/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/city-to-have-icg-air-enclave-by-2018-end/articleshow/56900108.cms |archive-date=12 February 2017}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |DHQ-13 Puducherry<ref>{{Cite web |last=Service |first=Express News |date=2014-05-16 |title=New Coast Guard Hub Opens, to Make Pondy Shores Secure |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2014/May/16/new-coast-guard-hub-opens-to-make-pondy-shores-secure-613284.html |access-date=2024-05-23 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> | ICGS Puducherry |- |CGAE Puducherry<ref name=":2" /> |- | ICGS Karaikal |- | rowspan="3" |DHQ-16 Thoothukudi<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard: Eastern Region Organization |url=https://www.indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/1835_0_Organisation.aspx?regID=1827 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210130174628/https://www.indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/1835_0_Organisation.aspx?regID=1827 |archive-date=2021-01-30 |access-date=2021-01-30}}</ref> | ICGS Thoothukudi |- | ICGS Mandapam |- | CGAS Thoothukudi (Land acquisition in-progress)<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2018 |title=Indian Coast Guard to expand Thoothukudi fleet by 2020 |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/in-other-news/180718/indian-coast-guard-to-expand-thoothukudi-fleet-by-2020.html |access-date= |website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Coast Guard to set up air station in Tuticorin for surveillance, to aid fishers |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/coast-guard-to-set-up-air-station-in-tuticorin-for-surveillance-to-aid-fishers/articleshow/65030883.cms |access-date= |website=The Times of India}}</ref> |- | rowspan="7" |Andaman & Nicobar Region (A&N) CGRHQ Port Blair | rowspan="3" |DHQ-14 Port Blair | ICGS Port Blair (includes MRCC)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coordinating Agencies |url=https://indiancoastguard.gov.in/content/1676_3_CoordinatingAgencies.aspx |access-date=2024-08-26 |website=indiancoastguard.gov.in}}</ref> |- | CGAE Port Blair |- | ICGS Hutbay |- | rowspan="2" |DHQ-9 Diglipur |ICGS Mayabunder<ref>{{Cite web |title=India Opens New Coast Guard Station in Andaman |url=http://www.defencenow.com/news/1060/india-opens-new-coast-guard-station-in-andaman.html |website=defencenow.com |access-date=28 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122183400/http://www.defencenow.com/news/1060/india-opens-new-coast-guard-station-in-andaman.html |archive-date=22 January 2016}}</ref> |- |ICGS Diglipur |- | rowspan="2" |DHQ-10 Campbell Bay |ICGS Campbell Bay |- |ICGS Kamorta |- | rowspan="14" |Western Region (W) CGRHQ Mumbai | rowspan="2" |DHQ-3 New Mangaluru |ICGS Karwar<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard Station at Karwar Commissioned |url=http://www.marinebuzz.com/2009/11/06/indian-coast-guard-station-at-karwar-commissioned/ |website=marinebuzz.com |access-date=28 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306161701/http://www.marinebuzz.com/2009/11/06/indian-coast-guard-station-at-karwar-commissioned/ |archive-date=6 March 2016}}</ref> |- |CGAE New Mangaluru<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Coast-Guard-District-HQ-3-to-set-up-RRT/articleshow/51997507.cms |title=Coast Guard District HQ 3 to set up RRT |work=The Times of India |access-date=10 September 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529190433/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/Coast-Guard-District-HQ-3-to-set-up-RRT/articleshow/51997507.cms |archive-date=29 May 2016}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |DHQ-2 Mumbai |ICGS Murud Janjira |- |ICGS Ratnagiri |- |ICGS Dahanu |- | rowspan="3" |DHQ-4 Kochi |ICGS Vizhinjam |- |ICGS Beypore |- |CGAE Kochi |- | rowspan="2" |DHQ-11 Mormugao |ICGS Goa |- |CGAE Dabolim |- | rowspan="4" |DHQ-12 Kavaratti |ICGS Kavaratti |- |ICGS Minicoy |- |ICGS Androth |- |CGAS Daman |- | rowspan="8" |North-West Region (NW) CGRHQ Gandhinagar | rowspan="4" |DHQ-1 Porbandar |ICGS Gandhinagar |- |ICGS Pipavav<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-26 |title=Indian Coast Guard rescues 11 in a sea-air operation after merchant ship en route from Kolkata to Port Blair sinks |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/indian-coast-guard-rescues-11-in-a-sea-air-operation-after-merchant-ship-en-route-from-kolkata-to-port-blair-sinks/articleshow/112795711.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-08-26 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref> |- |ICGS Veraval |- |CGAE Porbandar |- | rowspan="4" |DHQ-15 Okha |ICGS Mundra |- |ICGS Jakhau |- |ICGS Vadinar |- |ICGS Okha |}

==Personnel== [[File:Indian Coast Guard-03.jpg|thumb|Indian Coast Guard personnel with NWU Type-1 camo replacing the "Blue working uniform" as worn by a personnel in right]]

===Officer rank structure=== ''A table showing the rank structure of Coast Guard officers with those of the other Indian armed services.''<ref>{{cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard – An Overview |url=https://cag.gov.in/sites/default/files/audit_report_files/Union_Performance_Defence_Services_Role_and_Functioning_Indian_Coast_guard_7_2011_chapter_1.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030235136/http://www.cag.gov.in/sites/default/files/audit_report_files/Union_Performance_Defence_Services_Role_and_Functioning_Indian_Coast_guard_7_2011_chapter_1.pdf |archive-date=30 October 2017 |access-date=29 August 2020}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" ! Indian Coast Guard Ranks ! Indian Army Ranks ! Indian Navy Ranks ! Indian Air Force Ranks !Central Armed Police Forces Ranks !Police |- |- || General || Admiral || Air Chief Marshal |- | Director-General /Additional Director-General || Lieutenant General || Vice Admiral || Air Marshal |Director General |Director General of Police |- | Inspector-General || Major General || Rear Admiral || Air Vice Marshal |Inspector General |Inspector General of Police |- | Deputy Inspector-General || Brigadier || Commodore || Air Commodore |Deputy Inspector General |Deputy Inspector General of Police |- |Commandant (Level 13-Pay Scale) |Colonel |Captain |Group Captain |Senior Commandant/Commandant |Superintendent (Selection Grade) |- | Commandant (Junior Grade) || Lt Colonel || Commander || Wing Commander |Second In Command/ Commandant |Superintendent |- | Deputy Commandant || Major || Lt Commander || Squadron Leader |Deputy Commandant |Additional Superintendent |- | Assistant Commandant (2 Years) || Captain || Lieutenant || Flight Lieutenant |Assistant Commandant |Deputy Superintendent |- | Assistant Commandant || Lieutenant || Sub Lieutenant || Flying Officer |Assistant Commandant (Junior ) |Assistant Superintendent |}

===Coast Guard officers=== [[File:The Coast Guard Marching Contingent passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day Parade 2017, in New Delhi on January 26, 2017.jpg|thumb|305x305px| The Coast Guard Marching Contingent passes through the Rajpath, on the occasion of the 68th Republic Day Parade 2017|alt=|right]] The naming of ranks of officers in the Coast Guard is as same as the rank of Central Armed Police Forces. Officers are appointed in the Coast Guard in one of four branches, as either a General-Duty officer, Pilot officer, Technical officer, or Law officer. Lady Officers have two branches, i.e., General-Duty Officer or Pilot Officer, and serve on shore establishments/Air Stations/Headquarters. They are not deployed on board Indian Coast Guard ships.

Officers of the Indian Coast Guard undergo Basic Military Training at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala, along with their counterparts of the Indian Navy. This helps in the mutual interchange of Officers among these two sister services. While the Indian Coast Guard Academy is under construction in Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka.<ref name=hindu-cga>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/28/stories/2011022855970600.htm |title=First Coast Guard academy in Kannur |access-date=3 May 2012 |date=28 February 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108235939/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/28/stories/2011022855970600.htm |work=The Hindu |archive-date=8 November 2012}}</ref>

; General-Duty Officers The command of ships at sea can only be exercised by officers of the General Duty (GD) branch. The key functions of a General-Duty Officer would be to operate weapons, sensors, and different kinds of equipment on board a ship. The safety of the ship and the men would be the GD officers' responsibility. All the District Commanders (COMDIS) and Commander of Coast Guard Region (COMCG) appointments are exercised by a GD Officer of the Indian Coast Guard.

;Pilot Officers Pilot Officers are also part of the GD branch. A Pilot Officer gets an opportunity to work at shore Air Stations along the Indian coasts and also on board ships. ICG operates fixed-wing aircraft for surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone. Helicopters are embarked on Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) to provide local surveillance and perform search and rescue mission at sea.

;Technical Officers Technical Officers are responsible for the operation of advanced technology and sensor systems on board Coast Guard vessels and aircraft, as well as on shore installations. They also command the maintenance wings of the force.

;Law Officers Law Officers act as legal advisers to their respective commanders. They represent the Indian Coast Guard in legal actions filed by or against the organisation. They also perform the duties of trial law officers in Coast Guard courts, convened to try delinquent Coast Guard personnel. The Directorate of Law at Coast Guard Headquarters is headed by a Deputy Inspector-General and is designated as the Chief Law Officer. Section 115 of the Coast Guard Act, 1978, deals with the qualifications necessary to be appointed as the Chief Law Officer of the Indian Coast Guard. Section 116 of the Coast Guard Act, 1978, defines the functions of the Chief Law Officer.<ref name="act"/>

===Enrolled personnel=== Enrolled personnel in the Coast Guard serve as either a ''yantrik'' (technician) or ''navik'' (sailor).<ref name=icg-jobs>{{cite web|url=http://indiancoastguard.nic.in/Indiancoastguard/jobs/jobs.html |title=Careers in Indian Coast Guard |publisher=Indian Coast Guard |access-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502063809/http://www.indiancoastguard.nic.in/Indiancoastguard/jobs/jobs.html |archive-date=2 May 2012}}</ref>

* ''Yantrik''s responsible for operating and maintaining mechanical, electrical, or aeronautical equipment and systems on board the Coast Guard vessels and aircraft. * ''Navik''s may further serve in the General-Duty or Domestic branches. ** The General-Duty ''navik''s serves as sailors, weapons systems operators, communication specialists, divers, etc., or in specific maritime or aviation support roles. ** The Domestic branch's navik serves in roles such as stewards, cooks, etc., on board Coast Guard vessels.

Enrolled personnel of the Indian Coast Guard are trained along with Indian Naval sailors at the naval training establishment INS Chilka. All training undertaken by Coast Guard personnel is the same as that undertaken by sailors in the Indian Navy. All personnel are trained in the operation of weapons systems in cases of emergency.

===Rank insignia=== ; Commissioned officer ranks The rank insignia of commissioned officers. {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OF/India (Coast Guard)}} |}

; Other ranks The rank insignia of non-commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. {| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;" |- style="background:#ccc;" {{Ranks and Insignia of Indian forces/OR/Blank}} {{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Navies/OR/India (Coast Guard)}} |}

==Equipment== [[File:ICGS Sajag (20) with Dhruv Mk.3 helicopters.jpg|thumb|Dhruv MK.3 helicopters flying alongside ICGS Sajag.]] {{Main article|List of equipment of the Indian Coast Guard}}

In November 2024, the Indian Coast Guard had a strength of 182 ships and 78 aircraft. It plans to have 200 ships and 100 aircraft by 2030. At any given time, 55 to 60 surface platforms and 10 to 12 aircraft are deployed on patrol daily.<ref name=":4">{{cite web |date=18 June 2018 |title=Indian Coast Guard fleet 4th largest in the world |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/indian-coast-guard-fleet-4th-largest-in-the-world/articleshow/64636279.cms |access-date=8 June 2020 |work=The Times of India |vauthors=Siva G}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-01-31 |title=Indian Coast Guard poised to achieve its target force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircraft by 2030 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/indian-coast-guard-poised-to-achieve-its-target-force-levels-of-200-surface-platforms-and-100-aircraft-by-2030/articleshow/117790435.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-03-16 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

==Future of the Indian Coast Guard== {{Main Article|List of future and historical equipment of the Indian Coast Guard}}

The Indian Coast Guard expects to become a leading player in maritime security around the Indian Ocean. With a target set to triple its surface fleet strength by the turn of this decade, ICG has placed orders for 131 surveillance platforms that are already under construction in Indian shipyards and is in the process of signing contracts for building another 200 platforms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard modernizing fleet, enforcing laws, saving lives |url=https://ipdefenseforum.com/2020/11/indian-coast-guard-modernizing-fleet-enforcing-laws-saving-lives/#:~:text=The%20OPVs%20will%20conduct%20surveillance,India%20(PTI)%20news%20agency. |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Indo-Pacific Defense FORUM |language=en-US}}</ref> Contracts have been signed for state-of-the-art air cushion vehicles and advanced communication systems <ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian Coast Guard to be much bigger by 2030 |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/indian-coast-guard-to-be-much-bigger-by-2030-3382319 |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}}</ref>

The Indian Coast Guard has been allotted Rs 9,676.70 crore under the Capital and Revenue Head of the Union Budget 2025, which is a 26.5% increase over the previous years. The funds will be used for the acquisition of more ALH, Dornier Do 228, Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), Training Ships, and Interceptor Boats to augment current capacity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://latest.sundayguardianlive.com/news/defence-budget-boosted-to-rs-6-81-lakh-cr|title=Defence budget boosted to Rs 6.81 lakh cr|access-date=2025-11-17|date=2025-02-02|first=Saurabh|last=Sharma|publisher=The Sunday Guardian}}</ref>

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Indian Coast Guard}} * {{Official website}}

Category:Indian Coast Guard Coast Guard Category:Coast guards Category:Defence agencies of India Category:Federal law enforcement agencies of India Category:1978 establishments in India Category:Units of the Indian Peace Keeping Force Category:Specialist law enforcement agencies of India