Indian Coast Guard (ICG)

Definition

India's armed maritime law-enforcement and search-and-rescue service, raised under the Coast Guard Act, 1978, to protect maritime and other national interests in India's maritime zones.

Key points

• It was formally constituted on 1 February 1977 (the Act came in 1978) on the recommendations of the Rustamji Committee; it functions under the Ministry of Defence, unlike the CAPFs which are under the MHA.
• Its charter includes protection of fisheries, the marine environment, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations, search and rescue, and enforcement of maritime law in the Exclusive Economic Zone.
• After the 26 November 2008 Mumbai attacks, coastal security was restructured: the Indian Coast Guard was designated the authority responsible for coastal security in territorial waters, the Navy has overall responsibility, and the Marine Police guard the shallow near-shore waters.
• It operates patrol vessels, hovercraft, and aircraft and is headed by a Director General Indian Coast Guard.
• It is the fourth armed force of India after the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Why it matters for CAPF

Coastal security is a CAPF-favourite theme post-2008; the ICG's ministry (Defence, not Home), its 1978 Act, and the three-tier coastal-security model are commonly tested.

Common confusion

The Coast Guard is under the Ministry of Defence, not the Ministry of Home Affairs; do not group it with the CAPFs. It is distinct from the Marine Police (State forces guarding near-shore waters) and the Navy (overall maritime defence).

Related concepts

concept one border one force, concept coastal security architecture, concept sagar doctrine, concept central armed police forces overview

Parent note

coastal and maritime security