Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled two significant policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on July 28, 2026, at an event held at Kartavya Bhavan-2, New Delhi. The announcement was attended by Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, DG ICG Director General Paramesh Sivamani, and other senior officials.
The first policy establishes a gender-neutral framework for officer induction into the ICG, introducing a comprehensive women-centric approach. The policy enables induction of women candidates into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) at par with male counterparts, while also opening SSA for male candidates. It ensures equal opportunities for career progression starting from ab-initio training phase. Existing PA women officers will be considered for promotion to higher positions subject to eligibility conditions, and existing serving women officers on SSA will be provided an option to convert their service to PA subject to stipulated conditions.
The second policy reform streamlines administrative procedures for granting ex-gratia to families of personnel reported missing at sea while on duty. The key provision authorizes declaring ICG personnel missing at sea as 'presumed dead' for ex-gratia purposes, significantly easing and accelerating the process for granting ex-gratia compensation and terminal benefits to Next of Kin (NoK). This measure aims to prevent prolonged administrative delays during times of mental trauma for families.
Raksha Mantri lauded the ICG for its exemplary service over the past five decades and expressed confidence that these forward-looking policies will strengthen the morale and operational efficacy of the force as it approaches its Golden Jubilee (Swarnim Jayanti) in 2027. He reaffirmed the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government's resolve to strengthen the ICG as a modern, capable and future-ready maritime force.