The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), established on February 1, 1977, with just seven surface platforms, has evolved into a “formidable maritime force” comprising 155 ships and 80 aircraft, officials said on Saturday (January 31, 2026). The ICG will observe its 50th Raising Day with an event in New Delhi on Sunday (February 1, 2026), marking five decades of dedicated, selfless service to the nation, they said.
The ICG was envisioned to address emerging maritime challenges and safeguard India’s expanding marine interests.
“From its humble beginnings in 1977 with just seven surface platforms, the ICG has evolved into a formidable maritime force comprising 155 ships and 80 aircraft today,” the ICG said.
By 2030, the ICG is “poised to achieve its target force levels of 200 surface platforms and 100 aircraft, firmly establishing itself among the world’s premier coast guard services,” it said.
Since its inception, the organisation has “rescued over 11,800 lives”, forging a legacy defined by compassion and courage, earning recognition as the enduring ‘Saviours at Sea’, a senior ICG official said.
Headquartered in Delhi, the force maintains vigil over 20.1 lakh sq. km of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone and 11,098.01 km of coastline, the ICG said in a statement.
From modest origins, it has grown into a powerful, versatile, and highly respected force entrusted with maritime law enforcement, coastal security, search and rescue, marine environmental protection, and humanitarian aid, officials said.
From close coordination with the Indian Navy during Operation Sindoor to daring rescue operations in Lakshadweep and the firm handling of three major maritime incidents off the Kerala coast in recent months, the ICG has demonstrated preparedness across the full spectrum of maritime contingencies, they said.
With extensive deployment of ships and aircraft, coupled with high-tech electronic surveillance, the Coast Guard’s persistent presence at sea reassures the maritime community and deters transgressions, they added.
Aligned with the vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’, the ICG is steadily moving towards self-reliance through the induction of indigenously-built ships, aircraft, helicopters, and advanced surveillance systems, while simultaneously prioritising infrastructure development and personnel welfare, the statement said.
The ICG said it also “remains firmly committed to gender neutrality and inclusivity, ensuring equal opportunities for women across seagoing, aviation, and shore-based roles, and fostering a professional environment defined by respect, merit, and mutual trust”.
Guided by the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Amrit Kaal’ and anchored in the doctrines of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), the ICG forms a key pillar of India’s maritime resurgence, promoting security, growth, cooperation, and collective prosperity across the oceans, it said.
In this evolving era, India’s seas are not merely frontiers to be guarded, but “pathways of partnership, progress, and shared destiny”, the ICG added.
On the global stage, the ICG strengthens maritime partnerships through humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and capacity-building initiatives, the force said, adding that the unanimous decision to hand over presidency of 50th Coast Guard Global Summit to ICG in 2025 stands as a recognition of India’s growing maritime leadership.
Ahead of the 50th Raising Day, the President of India, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister, and the Defence Minister have extended their regards to all ranks of the ICG, commending its remarkable achievements and acknowledging its vital role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests, it said.
In a post on X on Friday, the ICG said in the run-up to its Raising Day, the district headquarters of the force in Lakshadweep organised a vibrant series of outreach and community engagement events at Kavaratti, Andrott and Minicoy.
Activities included painting, quiz competitions, a walkathon, a special coastal clean-up drive, school children’s visits to ICG ships, community interaction programmes, a cycle rally, and a tree plantation drive.
“The initiatives witnessed enthusiastic participation from the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, CRPF, IRBN, civilian organisations, schools, fishermen communities and representatives of the Union territory administration, reinforcing collective commitment towards maritime safety, environmental stewardship and community connect,” the ICG said.
Published – February 01, 2026 05:05 am IST
