PIB: Published on 28 July 2026
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh unveiled two significant policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Kartavya Bhavan-2 in New Delhi. The measures focus on gender-neutral induction and career progression for officers, alongside streamlined procedures for granting ex-gratia relief to families of personnel missing at sea while on duty. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, Director General Paramesh Sivamani, and senior officials attended the event.
These reforms come as the ICG approaches its Swarnim Jayanti (Golden Jubilee) in 2027. The Raksha Mantri praised the force’s five decades of service and linked the changes to the government’s broader aim of building a modern, capable, and future-ready maritime security apparatus under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Gender-Neutral Framework: Expanding Opportunity and Career Paths
The first reform introduces a comprehensive gender-neutral approach to officer induction. Women candidates will now be inducted into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) on equal terms with male counterparts. Simultaneously, SSA has been opened to male candidates, removing earlier asymmetries.
Equal opportunities for career progression begin from the ab-initio training stage. Existing women officers on Permanent Appointment will be considered for higher ranks subject to eligibility, while serving women officers on SSA gain the option to convert to Permanent Appointment if they meet stipulated conditions.
This marks a concrete step toward operationalising “Nari Shakti” within maritime security. By aligning induction, training, and promotion pathways, the policy reduces structural barriers that previously limited women’s long-term career trajectories in the ICG. It also creates a more flexible talent pool by allowing men into SSA roles, potentially improving recruitment flexibility and retention across genders.
Administrative Relief for Families of Missing Personnel
The second reform addresses a long-standing hardship faced by Next of Kin (NoK). It empowers authorities to declare ICG personnel missing at sea while on duty as “presumed dead” specifically for the purpose of granting ex-gratia compensation and terminal benefits. This accelerates the process and reduces prolonged administrative delays during periods of acute emotional distress for families.
The change prioritises timely support over bureaucratic formality, recognising the unique operational risks of maritime service where recovery of remains is often impossible. It strengthens the social compact between the force and its personnel by ensuring that families of those lost in the line of duty receive financial relief without extended uncertainty.
Broader Significance and Implications
Together, the reforms reflect dual priorities: modernising human resource practices in line with contemporary norms of equity, and reinforcing welfare mechanisms that sustain morale in a high-risk operational environment. Gender-neutral policies are likely to expand the talent base, improve representation, and support the ICG’s evolution into a more inclusive force. The ex-gratia streamlining directly addresses a practical pain point that can erode confidence among serving personnel and their families.
As the ICG prepares for its Golden Jubilee, these measures signal an intent to pair capability upgrades with personnel-centric reforms. Their success will depend on effective implementation; clear eligibility criteria, transparent promotion processes, and efficient administrative handling of missing-at-sea cases. If executed well, they should contribute to higher morale, better retention, and a more resilient force ready for the maritime challenges of the coming decade.
