How To Join Indian Coast Guard As An Officer

Many of us have minimal knowledge about the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) potential employment opportunities as an officer compared to the Indian Navy.

It is because of the limited intake officer strength and lack of awareness about joining the Indian Coast Guard

The Indian coast guard is working under the ministry of defence and performing outstandingly along with the Indian Navy.

What is Indian Coast Guard?

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is responsible for safeguarding the country’s maritime interests in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.

In recent days, The Indian coast guard, along with the Indian Navy, intercepted a Sri Lankan fishing vessel in the Arabian Sea off the Kerala coast on 18 April 2021 and seized narcotic drugs worth Rs 3,000 crores.

It was the third major seizure by the Navy and coast guard during the past two months.

The Indian Coast Guard has a specific role in the sea, like the Border Security Force (BSF), which protects our borders on land.

BSF is responsible to safeguards our borders from smuggling, anti-social activities, and aggression to some extent.

Similarly, ICG is accountable for stopping smuggling through the sea, local surveillance, and search & rescue missions at sea.

The main difference between BSF & ICG is that the former comes under the Ministry of Home, whereas ICG functions under the Defence ministry.

This article aims to explain the job opportunities in the ICG as an officer extended to the graduates who are aspiring professional growth, adventure interest, and dedication to the Nation.

How To Join Indian Coast Guard As An Officer?

Indian Coast Guard Officer Eligibility & Peculiarities For Intake

The IGC has three types of officer intake as General Duty Officer, Pilot, Technical Branch including Law, who gets anti-date seniority of two years.

Male & Female graduates can apply for job opportunities in the ICG.

Besides, following few peculiarities of the intake as an officer in the ICG.

>> Age Eligibility

Male and Female graduate candidates age between 19 to 45 years can apply. 05 years of age relaxation for SC/ST & 03 years for OBC candidates.

>> Height & Weight

Height between 157 cms to 197 cm for Males & 152 cms to 197 cm for Women.

>> Service Condition Short Service

Service condition short service means eight years initially, then two years, and a maximum of 14 years.

>> Medical Fitness

Medical Fitness is mandatory, and medical tests will be conducted at the military hospital by the particular medical board. Tattoo is only permitted to the candidates from tribal areas/communities only.

>> Promotion

Assistant Commandant to Director-General is the promotional hierarchy. Pay, other allowances, including medical facilities, are the same as the Indian Navy.

• Selection procedures are divided into the Preliminary selection Board(PSB) and Final selection board(FSB).

• A merit list will be prepared for the medically fit candidates based on marks obtained by the candidates at FSB and depending upon the availability of the vacancies.

• The first appointment as Assistant Commandant will be counted as Group “A” Gazetted Officer category for pay and allowances.

Indian Coast Guard Pay Scale And Perks

The following are the rank structure of the ICG with a basic Pay level whenever the officer is promoted to the next rank.

Designation	Pay Grade
Assistant Commandant	Rs 56,100/-pm Basic Pay with Pay Level 10
Deputy Commandant	Rs 67,700/-pm as Basic Pay with Pay level 11
Commandant(Junior Grade)	Rs 78,800/-pm as Basic Pay with Pay Level 12
Commandant	Rs 1,23,100/-pm as Basic Pay with Pay Level 13
Deputy Inspector General	Rs 1,31,100/-pm as Basic Pay with Pay Level 13(A)
Inspector General	Rs 1,44,200/-pm as Basic Pay with Pay level 14
Additional Director General	Rs 1,82,200/-pm as Basic Pay with Pay Level 15
Director-General	Rs 2,05,400/- pm as Basic Pay with Pay level 16

The other pay and allowance are admissible as per the 7th pay commission.

Other Benefits

• Government accommodation with a regular license fee
• Contributory Pension Scheme & graduate on retirement
• Medical cover for self & dependents, and ECHS facilities after retirement
• Canteen facilities
• Insurance cover of @ 1 Crore
• 45 days Earned leave, eight days Causal Leave & LTC
• Organizational support for aspiring officers to participate in national & international sports events and professional growth.

Charter Of Duties of Indian Coast Guard

• Protection of India’s marine resources and offshore wealth, including oil, fish, and minerals.

• Enforcement of maritime Law with jurisdiction over both territorial and international waters.

• It is preserving and protecting marine ecology, the environment, and rare species.

• Collection of scientific data

• Assist and support Indian Navy during the war

Eligibility and Task as an Officer in Different Category of Intake

>> Assistant Commandant (General Duty) 

The officer is responsible for commanding the Ships that operate weapons and sensors systems.

The man management of the ship, including the safety of men, equipment, and ship, is the sole responsibility of the General Duty officer.

The women officer are posted in non-seagoing appointments and have the option to serve till superannuation.

However, a Female candidate can opt to short service for 8+2+4 years pattern to become the Assistant Commandant(GD).

Assistant Commandant Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates: Male and Female Allowed

Age: Between 21 to 25 (05 years relaxation for CG uniformed personnel/ SC / ST and 03 years for OBC)

Qualification: Candidates who have passed Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university and has subjects of Mathematics and Physics (XIIth of 10+2+3 scheme of education or equivalent)

Height & Weight: 157cm for Males and 152 for Females with proportionate weight

Eyesight: 6/6 with glasses or 6/9 without glass is the mandatory requirement to apply.

Other Requirements: Free from all diseases and medical fit to sustain physical hardship is essential to join in the ICG.

>> Assistant Commandant [General Duty (Pilot/Navigator)]

The Officer operates fixed-wing aircraft from shore Air stations for surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone.

Besides, helicopters are embarked on coast guard offshore patrol vessels to provide local leadership and perform search and rescue missions at sea. 

General Duty/Pilot Navigator Entry Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates: Male Allowed

Age: Between 19-25 Years of Age (5 years relaxation for CG Personals/SC/ST and three years for OBC)

Qualification:  Candidates who have passed Bachelor’s degree from any recognized university and has subjects of Mathematics and Physics (XIIth of 10+2+3 scheme of education or equivalent)

Height & Weight: Min 162.5cms, maximum 197cm, Leg Length Minimum 99 cms, Weight proportionate to height

Eyesight: 6/6 without glasses.

Commercial Pilot Licence (Short Service) Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates: Male and Female Allowed

Age: Between 19-25 Years of Age (5 years relaxation for SC/ST and three years for OBC)

Qualification:  Should have passed 12th class or equivalent and should possess current Commercial Pilot Licence issued/ validated by Director General Civil Aviation on date of submission of application

Height & Weight:

For Males: Min 162.5cms, maximum 197cm, Leg Length Minimum 99 cms, Weight proportionate to height

For Females:  Standard height is 152 cms, Leg Length Minimum 91 cms, Weight proportionate to height

Eyesight: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in other, correctable to 6/6.

>> Assistant Commandant (Technical Branch)

The officer from the technical branch is responsible for keeping all equipment serviceable under Coast Guard repair Bay.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates: Male Allowed

Age: 21-30 years(Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST & 3 years for OBC)

Qualification:  Degree with 60% marks in aggregate in Naval Architecture/Mechanical/Marine/Electrical/Electronics & Telecommunications/Design/Production/Aeronautical/metallurgy/Aerospace/control Engineering or equivalent

& Physics and Maths in 12th class or Three-year diploma course

Height & Weight: Height 157 cm weight proportionate to height

Eyesight: 6/6 with corrected glass & 6/36 without glasses

>> Deputy Commandant (Law Branch)

Law officers are legal advisers to the Commanders on maritime issues. They also prosecute and defend cases filed by or against the Indian Coast Guard. The senior officer is called the Chief Law Officer(CLO) with the rank of Deputy Inspector General(DIG).

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates: Male and Female Allowed

Age: Should not be less than 21 years and more than 45 years (Age relaxation of 5 years for CG Personal/SC/ST & 3 years for OBC)

Qualification:  A degree in Law from a recognized university. (Three years degree in law after graduation or Five years after 10+2 examination)

Height & Weight: Minimum Height For Male is 157 cm and 152cm for females. Weight proportionate to height

Eyesight: 6/12 with glasses & 6/60 without glasses.

Selection Procedure of ICG as an officer

Preliminary Selection Board (PSB) Procedure

Based on higher marks in academics, the candidates will be shortlisted by the selection board of ICG. The shortlisted candidates will be called for a preliminary selection test.

The candidate who has completed and posses the graduation will only be called for the PSB. Candidates should not have been arrested, convicted, or prosecuted on criminal charges.

The PSB is a one-day test, and therefore no boarding & lodging, including DA/TA allowed.

The shortlisted candidates will be called for Preliminary Selection Board(PSB) interviews at the following centers. The PSB centers are given below:

• Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (West), Worli Sea Face, PO Worli Colony, Mumbai
• Indian Coast Guard store Depot, Chennai
• Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North East) New Town Rajarhat,
• Indian Coast Guard Selection Board, Noida

Location	Address
Noida	Indian Coast Guard, Selection Board, B wing (5th floor), C Block, Phase-2, Industrial Area, Sector-62, Near Indus Valley Public School, Gautam Budh Nagar, Noida, UP-201 309.
Mumbai	Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (West), Worli Sea Face PO, Worli Colony, Mumbai – 30. Tel No. +91-22-24371932/24370491
Chennai	Indian Coast Guard Dist HQs No-5, GM Pettai Road, Royapuram, Chennai- 13.  Tel No. +91-44-23460447-50
Kolkata	Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (North East)– Synthesis Business Park, 6th floor shrachi Building, New Town Rajarhat, Kolkata – 700 157. –   Tel No.+91-33-23248015

Documents to carry for PSB

The following personal documents are required to be kept ready for verification at the time of reporting:

• Proof of identity
• Caste certificate for claiming age relaxation
• One copy of the computer-generated pre-filled online application
• 10th class original certificate for verification of date of birth
• 12th class original mark sheet for the percentage of marks in Mathematics and physics.
• Original mark sheets (including semester/years) of degree/Engineering degree.
• Current valid Commercial Pilot License(if applicable)

• All original documents are compulsory. Keep them separately and carry at least two photocopies of the same at documents verification

• Read the call-up letter deliberately and follow the instructions strictly. A gazetted officer should attest to the photocopy of the certificate. Adequate recent passport photographs should be ready for use. 

Indian Coast Guard PSB Interview Syllabus

Two different tests will be conducted, namely,

1. Cognitive Aptitude Test / Mental Ability Test
2. Picture Perception & Discussion Test ( PP & DT)

1. Cognitive Aptitude Test / Mental Ability Test

Cognitive Aptitude Test/Mental Ability Test is the first test being conducted after verification of the candidate’s documents on the day of reporting for PSB. 

This test is somewhat same as the Officer Intelligence Test (OIR). It is, in fact, some more difficult too. Hence, thorough preparation is required to get maximum marks.

The high average marks will help to cross over to the Final Selection Board or the second stage of the selection procedure. 

The mental Ability Test will be an objective type test and should attempt within a stipulated time for each question. 

Now the challenge is, you are not given a question paper. Instead, the questions are displayed by a projector on a board at the front of a large hall.

There are 5-6 options for each question. There are 80 questions to solve in 7 rounds and there is no negative mark. No additional times will be given. Therefore, it is very much necessary to be in a calm and stress-free environment.

The questions for this test are expected to be from subjects like Quantitative Aptitude and Logical Reasoning. The Indian Coast Guard officially has not released any syllabus as of now.

Exam Syllabus: A list of Mental Aptitude Tests will be listed below for your ready reference.

There are 7 rounds in the test with each round having a different set of questions.

Round 1 (10 questions): 

5 series completion questions and 5 blood relation questions are there. You are provided 60 seconds for each question which means after 60 seconds, the next question will be on-screen and you will not be able to get back to it if you are not quick enough. The same thing applies throughout the test.

Round 2 (10 questions): 

5 synonyms and 5 antonym questions. The number of questions is 10 and each question is shown for 5 seconds.

Round 3 (10 questions): 

Spelling mistakes or finding the correct word. There are 10 questions each given 8 seconds.

Round 4 (10 questions): 

Memory test- in this a number or word is shown to you for 4 seconds and it will disappear and in the next 4 seconds, options will be shown you need to mark what you have seen. 10 questions and 8 seconds are given for each. Length of word increases as test moves further.

Round 5 (10 questions): 

Question on how many words can be formed using the alphabets of a given word with some given constraints. 10 questions are there with 60 seconds for each question.

Round 6 (10 questions): 

Rotation (clockwise/anticlockwise by a specific angle) + mirror image, 10 questions are there and 20 seconds for each question.

Round 7 (20 questions): 

Questions on counting the occurrence of a digit or an alphabet in a given array of digits or alphabets. And for these 10 seconds are given to each question. Example:”BJDGWERYERYTTTJSTTDFGRZASERT”. In the above series, find the number of “T”. The answer is “6”.

2. Picture Perception & Discussion Test ( PP & DT)

Candidates need to clear the OIR separately to go for the next PP & DT round. Candidates who are not able to clear the test can return home.

This test will be divided into four parts, such as:

a) Picture Perception (Story Writing)

b) Narration

c) Group Discussion

d) Group common story

It is the same as the screening test of SSB of a defence force.

Final Selection Board

 The successful candidates from PSB will be called for FSB and intimated through the Indian Coast Guard website well in advance. The ICG’s final selection board is conducted at the IGC selection board in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

Personal documents will be checked by the selection centre once again. The date and venue will be intimated to the candidate.

The following test will be conducted during the Final Selection Board. It is more or less the same defence service SSB, and preparation should be the same as any other SSB.

The ICG selection team will conduct the following test:-

>> Psychological Test

Thematic Apperception Test (TAT), Word Association Test(WAT), Situation Reaction Test (SRT) & Self Description Test (SDT).

>> GTO

Group Discussion (GD), Group Planning Exercise(GPE), , Lecturette only.

Outdoor GTO Activities such as Progressive Group Task (PGT), Half Group Test (HGT), Individual Obstacle Test (OT), Command Task (CT), Group Obstacle Race (GOR), Final Group Task (FGT) are not available in FSB now, but the same will be expected to conduct in the board and construction activities of the same is running.

>> Personal Interview

Based on your submitted Personal details at the time of reporting at SSB- be truthful and frank- the way you are …face and enjoy the interview) by Interviewing Officer (IO)- 15 – 45 mins interaction.

>> Medical Examination at Defense Hospital

Recommended candidate to be retained for Medical Test ( I believe if you are regular in games, sports, and extracurricular at your school, Need Not Worry, enjoy coming days with various tests held at Defence Force Hospital under specialized doctors.

A board of officers will declare your Medical Fitness (sometimes they may tell you to carry out some medical treatment, if required, and report to the service hospital for finalization).

>> Merit List

A merit list will be prepared based on the FSB & medical fitness certificate issued by Military Hospital and depending upon the availability of vacancies. The candidate’s selection about a particular batch is valid for that batch only. Qualified candidates whose names do not appear in the final merit list will have no rights for automatic selection for the next batch.

FAQ

Similarities between Indian Navy and Indian coast guard:

1. Uniform is the same as that of the Indian Navy.

2. Training occurs with Indian Navy counterparts. For officers- at INA, and for sailors at Chilka.

3. All allowances for similar service conditions (divers, sea-going allowance, hard area allowance, HRA, etc.) and deductions are the same in price as that of the Indian Navy

4. Service conditions and rules and regulations for personal are same in both i.e promotion and postings related rules. Punishment-related rules.

5. Canteen facility and medical facility are provided in both. ICG Personal are allowed to utilize and in fact, they use the military hospital facilities of the Indian Navy, army, and IAF. ICG Ships have Indian Naval medical officers.

Difference between Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard:

1. The officers of ICG are not commissioned officers but are Class A Gazetted officers.

2. They do not get Ex-Servicemen status after retirement.

3. Rank names are similar to para-military forces but unlike para-military forces (where above DIG rank are from IPS cadre) they have full hierarchy from their own force (earlier naval forces were also there because of lack of seniority of an officer of ICG)

4. The Defence Budget of India includes only the budget for Army, Navy, and Airforce. The ICG budget is not part of it. The ICG is paid through the ‘Civil Estimates’ of the MoD.

5. MSP (Military Service Pay) is not there in ICG.

6. ICG has NPS as a pension system, unlike the Navy which has a regular pension system.

7. Indian naval ships have heavier and superior weapons systems (missiles, heavy guns, advanced radar systems, etc.) unlike ICG ships which only have light guns.

8. Sailing routine.

Similarities between the Indian coast guard and other para-military forces:

1. Rank structure of officers.

2. NPS system for pension.

3. They are all Class A Gazetted officers.

4. Serving requirement of 20 years to qualify for pension.

5. Reservation system in eligibility at the time of joining. (Yes, they have age relaxation)

Conclusion

The selection of Assistant Commandant (AC) of the IGC is conducted bi-annually(Jan/Feb & Aug/Sep). The advertisement is given in leading national newspapers in both Hindi & English.

The selection procedure is somewhat equal to the SSB of the Armed Forces and training will be conducted under the supervision of the Indian Navy.

The IGC works in close cooperation with IN, Fisheries Department, Revenue Department & Central/State Police Force.

The role of ICG has substantially increased due to the active participation of enforcement of maritime law with jurisdiction over both territorial and international waters.

A joining letter will be issued to the individual who has been selected for training at INA, Ezhimala.

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