Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today unveiled two landmark policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), aimed at promoting gender parity in officer induction and career progression, while also streamlining the process of granting ex-gratia compensation to the families of personnel reported missing at sea in the line of duty.
The reforms were announced at Kartavya Bhavan-2 in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General Indian Coast Guard Paramesh Sivamani and other senior officials.
Commending the Indian Coast Guard for its exemplary service over the past five decades, the Defence Minister expressed confidence that the new initiatives would further strengthen the morale and operational effectiveness of the force as it prepares to celebrate its Swarnim Jayanti (Golden Jubilee) in 2027. He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a modern, capable and future-ready maritime force.
Gender-Neutral Officer Induction:
One of the key reforms introduces a comprehensive gender-neutral framework for the induction and career progression of officers in the Indian Coast Guard.
Under the new policy, women candidates will now be inducted into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) on par with their male counterparts. At the same time, the SSA entry scheme has also been opened to male candidates.
The policy further provides equal opportunities for career advancement from the initial training stage onwards. Existing women officers holding Permanent Appointments will be eligible for promotion to higher ranks, subject to meeting the prescribed criteria. Women officers currently serving under the SSA scheme will also be given the option to convert to Permanent Appointments, subject to stipulated conditions.
The move is aimed at strengthening gender inclusivity within the force and reflects the Government’s commitment to empowering women in India’s maritime security framework.
Faster Ex-Gratia Relief for Families:
The second reform focuses on simplifying administrative procedures for the Next of Kin (NoK) of Coast Guard personnel who go missing at sea while performing operational duties.
Under the revised policy, the competent authority will be empowered to declare an Indian Coast Guard personnel missing at sea during duty as “presumed dead” for the purpose of granting ex-gratia compensation and terminal benefits.
The measure is expected to significantly reduce procedural delays, enabling bereaved families to receive financial assistance and service-related benefits more quickly during periods of emotional distress.
Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister said the reforms would not only improve service conditions for Coast Guard personnel but also reinforce the Government’s commitment to the welfare of serving members and their families while enhancing the operational readiness of the force.
