Indian Coast Guard Day is annually observed across India on 1st February to commemorate its Raising Day of the Indian Coast Guard(ICG), operating under the Ministry of Defence.
1st February 2022 marks the observance of the 46th Raising Day of the Indian Coast Guard.
Indian Coast Guard is the 4th Largest Coast Guard in the World.
Background:
i.On 1st February 1977, the Interim Indian Coast Guard was established to prevent seaborne smuggling of goods.
ii.ICG was established by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India.
iii.The duties and functions of ICG have been formally defined in the Coast Guard Act passed by the Parliament of India on 18th August 1978.
iv.The Indian Coast Guard was formally inaugurated by the then Prime Minister(PM) Morarji Desai on 19th Aug 1978.
Key Points:
i.The Indian Coast Guard operates in 5 regions, Western Region (W); Eastern Region (E); North-East Region (NE); Andaman & Nicobar Region (A&N); and North-West Region (NW)
ii.ICG, which had 7 surface platforms in 1978, currently has 156 ships and 62 aircraft in its inventory and is likely to achieve targeted force levels of 200 surface platforms and 80 aircraft by 2025.
iii.ICG has rescued approximately 13000 personnel during several ‘Aid to Civil Authority’ operations.
About Indian Coast Guard:
Director-General– Vs Pathania, PTM, TM
Headquarters– New Delhi, Delhi.
Motto– “Vayam Rakshamah” – We Protect
