How to become an Indian Coast Guard Assistant Commandant — your road, class by class

The Indian Coast Guard is an Armed Force of the Union under the Ministry of Defence. An Assistant Commandant is its entry-level Group 'A' gazetted officer, in the General Duty or Technical (Engineering / Electrical-Electronics) branch. [1]

A normal working day

• Command or serve on Coast Guard ships and boats on patrol at sea.
• Lead search and rescue, maritime safety and law-enforcement tasks.
• Technical officers maintain ship engines, hulls, electrical and electronic systems.

Pay

Main routes

Time and cost

Exam fee

₹300 · SC / ST exempt [1]

Selection

2027 batch: applications Jul 2025, CGCAT Sep 2025, induction by Dec 2026 [1]

Training

Naval Orientation Course at INA Ezhimala: 44 weeks (GD), 22 weeks (Technical), then training on ships and units [1]

The advertisement does not print a training fee or a stipend amount, so neither is printed here.

Hidden challenges

• Five stages, each one compulsory — CGCAT, PSB, FSB, special medicals and induction. [1]
• Strict age window: 21–25 on 1 July of the batch year (born 1 Jul 2001 – 30 Jun 2005 for the 2027 batch). [1]
• Trainees can be discharged as unsuitable if their progress or conduct is unsatisfactory during training. [1]

Who should not choose it

• You do not want life at sea or postings along the coast.
• You want to choose your city — officers serve where the Coast Guard needs them.
• You cannot meet the physical standards (157 cm minimum height for men in GD / Technical).

1. You are here Class 8 · Class 9

   Fitness and Maths–Physics

   • Every branch needs Mathematics and Physics up to Class 12 — keep both. [1]

   Doubt What does a Coast Guard Assistant Commandant do?

   Assistant Commandant is the Coast Guard's entry Group 'A' gazetted officer rank — leading ships, patrols, search and rescue (General Duty) or keeping the ships' engineering and electrical systems running (Technical). [1]

   Next: Read the Routes list above.

   Doubt Is the Coast Guard part of the Navy?

   No. It is a separate Armed Force of the Union under the Ministry of Defence, though its officers train at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala. [1]

   Next: Compare it with the Navy officer road below.

2. You are here Class 10

   Pick Science with Mathematics and Physics

   • Take Mathematics and Physics in Class 11–12: the GD branch needs both up to Class 12, and engineering degrees need them too. [1]

   Stream / subjects: Science with Mathematics and Physics.

   Doubt Can I wear glasses?

   General Duty needs 6/6 and 6/9 without glasses (6/6, 6/6 corrected). Technical allows 6/36 without glasses if corrected to 6/6 in each eye. [1]

   Next: Get your eyes tested early.

   Doubt Are tattoos allowed?

   Permanent tattoos are allowed only on the inner forearm (elbow to wrist) and the back of the hand; candidates from notified tribal areas get concessions. [1]

   Next: Think before getting a tattoo.

   Doubt Can a Commerce student become a Coast Guard officer?

   General Duty needs Mathematics and Physics up to Class 12 (or a diploma with Physics and Mathematics before the degree). Without them you are not eligible for the 2027-batch entries. [1]

   Next: Keep Maths and Physics in Class 11.

3. You are here Class 11 · Class 12

   Class 12 with Maths and Physics, then a degree

   • Pass Class 12 with Mathematics and Physics, then choose any degree (GD) or an engineering degree in a listed branch (Technical). [1]

   Doubt Can I join the Coast Guard as an officer straight after Class 12?

   No. Assistant Commandant entries need a graduate degree; the age window is 21–25. [1]

   Next: Pick a degree you will finish by about 21–22.

   Doubt Is there a minimum percentage in the degree?

   The 2027-batch advertisement asks only for a graduate degree from a recognised university — it prints no minimum percentage. ICG's Women (SSA) entry page lists 60% (55% SC / ST), so read each year's advertisement. [1] [2]

   Next: Keep good marks anyway.

4. You are here In college

   Final-year students can apply

   • Final-year students may sit CGCAT, but must show proof of passing the degree by the deadline and bring a bonafide certificate to PSB / FSB. [1]
   • CGCAT: 100 MCQs in 2 hours — English, Reasoning & Numerical Ability, General Science & Mathematics, General Knowledge (25 each); +4 correct, −1 wrong; English medium. [1]

   Money help at this stage

   CGCAT fee waiver

   Doubt Is there negative marking in CGCAT?

   Yes: four marks for each correct answer and minus one for each wrong answer. [1]

   Next: Skip questions you cannot narrow down.

   Doubt Which subjects are in CGCAT?

   English, Reasoning & Numerical Ability, General Science & Mathematics, and General Knowledge — 25 questions each, 2 hours in all. [1]

   Next: Practise all four sections.

   Doubt Can I apply for both GD and Technical?

   Yes, if you are eligible for both: give Option-I and Option-II. Stage-I shortlisting considers only your first option. [1]

   Next: Put the branch you want most as Option-I.

5. You are here Graduated

   PSB, FSB, medicals, merit

   • PSB (Stage II): a computerised cognitive test and a Picture Perception & Discussion Test — qualifying only. FSB (Stage III): psychological test, group task and interview. [1]
   • The All India merit list uses combined marks of Stage I and Stage III; the 2027 batch's merit list was due in December 2026, with training from early January 2027. [1]

   Money help at this stage

   CGCAT fee waiver

   Doubt Where is the medical test?

   At Base Hospital, New Delhi (Special Medical Board). If declared unfit you may appeal within 42 days. [1]

   Next: Get any eye or health issue checked early.

   Doubt What is the minimum height?

   157 cm for Assistant Commandant (GD) and Technical; lower limits apply to candidates from hilly and tribal areas as per Central Government rules. The Women (SSA) page lists 152 cm. [1] [2]

   Next: Check the medical standards before applying.

   Doubt How long is training?

   Naval Orientation Course at INA Ezhimala — 44 weeks for General Duty and 22 weeks for Technical — followed by training at Navy and Coast Guard establishments, units and ships. [1]

   Next: Be fit before you report.

   Doubt What do Coast Guard officers earn?

   Assistant Commandant starts at Pay Level 10 (basic ₹56,100); Deputy Commandant Level 11 (₹67,700); Commandant Level 13 (₹1,23,100), plus allowances. [1]

   Next: See the pay line above.

   Doubt Do SC / ST candidates get travel fare?

   Yes. SC / ST candidates not employed by government get second-class train / bus fare for CGCAT if home is over 30 km away, and second-class fare for PSB and FSB however many times they appear. Every candidate appearing in FSB for the first time gets AC III / chair car or bus fare. Original tickets are needed. [1]

   Next: Keep your tickets.

6. You are here Working / switching career

   Already working

   • Serving government employees must upload a no-objection certificate; serving Coast Guard and equivalent Army / Navy / Air Force personnel get 5 years' age relaxation. [1]

   Doubt I am 24 and working. Can I still apply?

   Yes, if you are within the 21–25 window on the batch's reference date and hold the required degree. Serving government employees need an NOC from their employer. [1]

   Next: Check the age window in the next advertisement.

CGCAT → PSB → FSB → medicals → induction · Indian Coast Guard (Directorate of Recruitment)

CGCAT

100 MCQs · 2 hours · +4 / −1 [1]

Age

21–25 years [1]

2027 batch

170 vacancies (GD 140 · Technical 30) [1]

Merit

Stage I + Stage III marks [1]

Stage table source [1]

Open the full exam guide

• National route: the Coast Guard recruits through one all-India process; no state quota is printed in the advertisement. [1]

National route applies. This career follows the same rules in every state and UT.

1. Indian Coast Guard — Advertisement: Assistant Commandant (GD, Technical) 2027 batch (opens in a new tab) applications 8–27 Jul 2025; age 21–25 on 1 Jul 2026; GD and Technical qualifications; 170 vacancies (GD 140, Tech 30); five stages; CGCAT 100 MCQs, 2 h, +4 / −1; ₹300 fee, SC / ST exempt; 157 cm; merit Dec 2026, INA Ezhimala Jan 2027; NOC 44 / 22 weeks; pay levels 10–16 · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
2. Indian Coast Guard — CGCAT: Assistant Commandant (Women-SSA) eligibility page (opens in a new tab) Women-SSA entry: 21–25 years, degree with 60% (55% SC / ST), Maths and Physics 55% in Class 12, 152 cm height, eyesight · Last checked 28 Oct 2026
3. SCERT Nagaland — NMMSS Examination 2027 advertisement (27 Jul 2026) (opens in a new tab) Class 8 eligibility, 55% / 50% Class 7 marks, ₹1,000 a month from Class 9 to 12 (one state's notice of the central scheme) · Last checked 24 Oct 2026
4. Ministry of Education — PM-USP Central Sector Scheme of Scholarships guidelines (2022-23 onwards), copy hosted by NIT Kurukshetra (opens in a new tab) 80th percentile, ₹4.5 lakh income, regular degree only, no other scholarship, ₹12,000 / ₹20,000 rates, renewal rules · Last checked 24 Oct 2026

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