Indian Coast Guard Officer: A Stepping Stone to Higher Positions in the Government

If you want to take a career in Indian Defence forces, you might think of Army, Navy or Air Force. But do you know that there is one more defense force of India? It is known as the Indian Coast Guard. So, if you could not join the navy, you still can be part of our ocean defenses through the Indian coast guard.

As an Indian Coast Guard Officer, you will be part of one of the prestigious defense forces. You will be required to sail patrol ships or patrol helicopters and keep an eye on Indian territorial water. You will ensure that our territorial water is not used for any criminal activities like smuggling, trafficking, etc. Also, you will ensure that terrorists do not enter India through water nor any criminal leaves through the water. You will share information across state police, customs, navy, etc., to enforce all laws.

Why become an Indian Coast Guard Officer?

Indian Coast Guard Officer is part of the Indian Defence system that includes the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force. As a coast guard officer, you will work primarily to safeguard the Indian coast and its territorial waters. You will patrol the sea with the ships equipped with weapons and sensors. You might be also flying aircraft if you join the pilot department. However, in both cases, you will patrol the sea and ensure that you control anti-national activities, smuggling, terrorism, theft, treason, etc. You will also coordinate with different Indian states and provide them with all intelligence information.

Popular specialization in Indian Coast Guard Officer career

1. General Duty Officers (Indian Coast Guard): As a General Duty officer, you would be commanding the ships at sea. You would operate any weapons, sensors and any kind of equipment on the ship. You would be responsible for the safety of equipment and people on the ship.
2. Pilot Officers (Indian Coast Guard): As a pilot officer, you will get an opportunity to work at the shore work stations along the Indian coast. You will fly fixed wings aircraft for surveillance of the exclusive economic zone. You will also fly helicopters as part of the patrol team of Indian Coastal guards.
3. Technical Officers (Indian Coast Guard): Technical Officers are responsible for the operation of all equipment and technologies on board of coast guard vessels (both air and shore installations).
4. Law Officers (Indian Coast Guard): Law Officers act as legal advisers to their respective commanders. They represent the Indian Coast Guard in legal actions filed by or against the organization. They also perform the duties of trial law officers in Coast Guard courts, convened to try delinquent Coast Guard personnel.

What does an Indian Coast Guard Officer do?

As an Indian Coastal Guard Office, you might be handling the following roles and responsibilities:

• You would be responsible for the overall safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals and other installations of the Government of India.
• You will protect mariners and fishermen. You would provide them required assistance too.
• You would work to preserve and protect marine ecology and the environment around the Indian shore.
• You will work with the department of customs and assist them in nabbing any anti-smuggling operations.
• You would be required to enforce the law in the territorial and international water around the Indian coast.
• You will also collect scientific data for any scientific research around India’s coast.
• In case of any hostility and war, you will support the Indian Navy for national defense.
• You will assist the Indian Intelligence department for information on terrorism, and national security.
• As a Coastal guard officer, you will be responsible for the overall security of the Indian coast and coordinate with Indian states related to coastal security.

How to become an Indian Coast Guard Officer – eligibility criteria

Undergraduate studies after school:

• There are several ways to become an officer in Naval Coastal Guards, and each one of them has a different educational requirement.
• You can study Engineering Stream (Naval Architecture/ Mechanical/ Marine/Electrical/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Design/Production/ Aeronautical / Metallurgy/ Aerospace/ Control Engineering) if you looking for a Pilot role in the Coastal service.
• You can study Science with Physics and Mathematics if you are looking for a Pilot / Navigation role in coastal guards.
• You can study any stream with any subject if you are looking for a general duty role in Coastal Guard.
• You can study Business Administration if you are looking for a role of Law officer in Coastal guards.
• If you have a commercial pilot license then also you can look for a short service commission Pilot role in Coastal Guards.  

Post Graduate studies:

• For the role of an officer in the Indian Coastal Guard, you do not need a post-graduate degree in any role but a Law officer.
• For a Deputy Commandant role in Law, you will need a post-graduate degree in Law.

Educational Fees

The Indian Coast Guard Officer career in India does not require any fees to be paid during the selection process. However, there may be some expenses that you will have to bear during the recruitment process such as travel expenses to attend the selection test, medical examination fees, etc.

Job Opportunities

Indian Coastal Guards Officer jobs is a government of India job. There is a strict hierarchy in the job, and the only way to enter is by becoming an assistant Commandant. It is the lowest level rank in the officer category.

However, if you are a lawyer with 8 years of work experience, you can join directly as Deputy Commandant.

After a Short service commission or full commission, you can also join as an officer in the Merchant Navy.

Salary of Indian coast guard officer

• At the entry-level, you will join as an assistant Commandant. Your gross salary Rs. 56,1000 to 1,77,500 per month with a grade pay of Rs. 5,400 per month.
• As a Deputy Commandant, your gross salary will range from Rs. 67,700 to 2,08,000 per month and grade pay of Rs. 6,600.
• As a Commandant (Junior Grade), your gross salary will range from Rs. 78,800 to 2,08,700 per month and grade pay of Rs. 7,600.
• As a Commandant, your gross salary will range from Rs. 1,23,100 to 2,15,900 per month and grade pay of Rs. 8,700.
• As a Deputy Inspector General, your gross salary will range from Rs. 1,31,100 to 2,16,600 per month and grade pay of Rs. 8,900.
• As an Inspector General, your gross salary will range from Rs. 1,44,200 to 2,18,200 per month and grade pay of Rs. 10,000.
• As a Director General, your gross salary will range from Rs. 182,200 INR to 2,24,100 per month.
• Apart from the salary, you would also get several other benefits from the Government of India. You will also get kit maintenance allowance, sea duty allowance, and Island special duty allowance. You will be also entitled to ration, medical insurance, government accommodation for family, insurance cover, canteen facility, etc.

Career Progression in Indian Coast Guard Officer Profession

You will join Indian Coastal guards as an Assistant Commandant. With time, you will be promoted to Deputy Commandant. Later, you will be promoted to Commandant (Junior Grade). Few of you will be later promoted to Commandant. With a growing tenure in the coastal guard’s service, you will be promoted to Deputy Inspector General. Few of you will succeed in becoming Inspector General. Finally, the rarest of rare will become the head of Coastal Guards in the rank of Director General.

What does industry trends say – Future Prospects

Indian Coastal Guards service is a government job. There is a limited number of openings in the field. Also, the Government focuses on hiring people based on skills, but they do not compromise the selection. Thus, many times the number of seats remains empty. The number of jobs is not likely to be increased in the near future. Thus, if you are really dedicated to this career, then only you should think of entering this career.

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