The Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh unveiled two landmark reforms for the Indian Coast Guard on 28 July 2026. The measures aim to achieve gender parity in officer recruitment and to simplify ex‑gratia payments to families of personnel missing at sea.
Key Developments
- Introduction of a gender‑neutral framework for officer induction, allowing women to join both SSA and PA streams on par with men.
- Existing women officers in PA become eligible for higher promotions, subject to eligibility.
- Women serving under SSA may convert to PA if conditions are met.
- Authority granted to declare a missing ICG personnel as ‘presumed dead’ for the purpose of granting ex‑gratia and terminal benefits.
- Streamlined procedure reduces administrative delays for the NoK of missing personnel.
Important Facts
The reforms were announced at Kartavya Bhavan‑2, New Delhi in the presence of the