The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Assistant Commandant exam recruits graduate officers for General Duty and Technical branches of the Coast Guard, an armed force of the Union responsible for maritime security, search and rescue, and coastal law enforcement. This guide covers the complete eligibility criteria, exam pattern, selection process, and preparation strategy for ICG Assistant Commandant 2026 based on the official notification.
ICG Assistant Commandant 2026: Overview
| Conducting Body | Indian Coast Guard, Ministry of Defence |
| Post | Assistant Commandant |
| Branches | General Duty (GD), Technical (Engineering/Electronics) |
| Total Vacancies (Recent Cycle) | 140 (110 GD + 30 Technical, tentative) |
| Selection Process | CGCAT (Stage I) → PSB (Stage II) → FSB (Stage III) → Medical (Stage IV) → Training at INA Ezhimala (Stage V) |
| Application Fee | ₹300 (SC/ST exempted) |
| Training Academy | Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala |
ICG Assistant Commandant 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit
Candidates must be between 21 and 25 years of age as on the cut-off date specified in the notification (typically born within a 4-year window ending on the notification’s reference date). Age relaxation of 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates applies as per government norms. Serving Coast Guard personnel may also get additional relaxation.
Educational Qualification
- General Duty (GD): Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level (minimum aggregate percentage as specified in the notification)
- Technical (Engineering/Electronics): Engineering degree in a relevant discipline — Naval Architecture, Mechanical, Marine, Electrical, Electronics, or related specializations
- Law: Law degree (3-year postgraduate or 5-year undergraduate) with the minimum prescribed percentage, where this branch is notified
- General Duty-Pilot / Commercial Pilot Entry: 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics, plus a valid Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) from DGCA, where this entry is notified
Note: Not every branch (Law, Pilot entry) is notified in every recruitment cycle. Always check the specific branches on offer in the latest official notification at joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in.
Physical & Medical Standards
- Height: Minimum 157 cm for General Duty (relaxable for some categories); Pilot entries require a minimum of 162.5 cm with proportionate leg length
- Vision: 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other (correctable to 6/6 for some branches); higher standards apply for Pilot entry
- Candidates must be medically fit as per Coast Guard/Naval medical standards, with no history of disqualifying conditions
ICG Assistant Commandant 2026: Selection Process
- Stage I – CGCAT (Coast Guard Common Admission Test): Computer-based objective test covering English, Reasoning, General Knowledge, and Mathematics
- Stage II – Preliminary Selection Board (PSB): Cognitive Battery Test and Picture Perception & Discussion Test (PP&DT)
- Stage III – Final Selection Board (FSB): A 5-day evaluation including psychological tests, group tasks, and a personal interview
- Stage IV – Medical Examination: Detailed medical test at a military hospital
- Stage V – Training: Selected candidates train at the Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala
ICG Assistant Commandant 2026: CGCAT Exam Pattern
The Coast Guard Common Admission Test (CGCAT) is a computer-based, objective-type test with negative marking for wrong answers. Key sections tested:
- English – grammar, vocabulary, comprehension
- General Knowledge – current affairs, history, geography, polity, general science, defence awareness
- Reasoning – verbal and non-verbal reasoning, analytical ability
- Mathematics – arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry at 10+2 level
ICG Assistant Commandant 2026: Preparation Strategy
- Build General Knowledge from NCERT History, Geography, and Polity, supplemented with daily current affairs, especially maritime security and defence news
- Practice reasoning and quantitative aptitude daily using standard competitive exam guides
- Technical branch aspirants should revise their core engineering subjects (Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics as applicable)
- Prepare for PP&DT and group tasks by practicing structured story-writing from picture prompts and participating in mock group discussions
- Maintain physical fitness (running, swimming where possible) since Coast Guard training is physically demanding
Related Defence Exams
Also preparing for other officer-entry defence exams? See our guides on the NDA Exam, CDS Exam, and AFCAT 2026.