Coast Guard AC Exam 2026: Eligibility, Syllabus & Selection
The Coast Guard Assistant Commandant (AC) Exam 2026 serves as an excellent opportunity for motivated and energetic young individuals who aspire to join the Indian Coast Guard as officers. Conducted annually, this exam helps the Indian Coast Guard select Assistant Commandants responsible for vital duties such as maritime security, search and rescue missions, and protecting India’s vast coastline. For an aspirant, gaining a clear understanding of this exam can greatly assist in charting a focused and informed career path toward this respected uniformed service. This essay offers a detailed overview of the Coast Guard AC Exam 2026, including its eligibility criteria, exam structure, syllabus, preparation strategies, and future career opportunities.
Table of Contents
- What is the Indian Coast Guard?
- Coast Guard AC Exam Dates 2026
- Eligibility Criteria for Coast Guard AC Exam 2026
- Exam Pattern and Selection Procedure
- Coast Guard AC Exam 2026 Syllabus
- Preparation Tips for Coast Guard AC Aspirants
- Career Opportunities and Benefits After Selection
- Why Choose Coast Guard AC as a Career?
What is the Indian Coast Guard?
The Indian Coast Guard is a paramilitary maritime force functioning under the Ministry of Defence. Its primary duties include safeguarding India’s maritime interests, enforcing maritime laws, conducting search and rescue operations, and ensuring the security of the nation’s coastline.
Assistant Commandants are the Coast Guard’s entry-level commissioned officers. They lead teams, command vessels, manage operations, and uphold maritime safety standards.
Serving as an AC is not only demanding but also highly prestigious, offering ample opportunities for professional growth in both sea-going and shore-based roles. The rank carries substantial authority and responsibility.
Coast Guard AC Exam Dates 2026
The tentative schedule for the Coast Guard Assistant Commandant (AC) Exam 2026 is outlined below:
Online Application: The registration window is expected to open and close in June, typically around mid to late June (exact dates may vary).
Stage I – Written Examination: Likely to be conducted in September 2025.
Stage II – Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Tentatively scheduled for 25th November 2025.
Stage III – Document Verification: Expected to take place on 25th January 2026.
Stage IV – Medical Examination: Proposed date is 26th March 2026.
Final Merit List & Provisional Offer: Usually released by 26th April 2026.
Joining Date: Selected candidates are expected to join on 26th December 2026.
These dates are based on the latest notifications and previous Coast Guard AC recruitment timelines for 2025–26, providing a reliable estimate for the 2026 cycle. Candidates are advised to regularly visit the official Indian Coast Guard recruitment portal for updates or any changes in the schedule.
Eligibility Criteria for Coast Guard AC Exam 2026
To appear for the Coast Guard Assistant Commandant Exam 2026, candidates must fulfill the following eligibility conditions:
Age Limit: Applicants should generally be between 20 and 24 years old as of the date mentioned in the official notification. Age relaxations apply as per government norms for eligible categories.
Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university. For technical branches, engineering graduates in disciplines such as Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, or related fields are preferred.
Nationality: Only Indian citizens are eligible to apply.
Physical Standards: Aspirants must adhere to the physical and medical requirements prescribed by the Indian Coast Guard. This includes criteria related to height, weight, chest measurements for male candidates, and visual standards such as normal color vision and acceptable visual acuity.
Marital Status: Candidates are generally required to be unmarried at the time of submitting the application.
As the official notification is released several months before the exam, candidates should regularly check the Indian Coast Guard website for precise details and any updates to the eligibility norms.
Exam Pattern and Selection Procedure
The Coast Guard AC selection process consists of multiple stages designed to evaluate a candidate’s academic knowledge, physical capability, and leadership potential.
1. Written Examination:
The first stage is a written test assessing General Knowledge, English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning. It is usually conducted in an MCQ format and lasts around 1.5 to 2 hours. The scores from this exam determine who progresses to the next phase.
2. Physical Fitness Test (PFT):
Candidates who qualify in the written exam are shortlisted for the PFT. This stage generally includes:
A 1.6 km run within a prescribed time.
Push-ups and sit-ups.
A swimming test (typically 25 meters in 45 seconds).
3. Interview/Personality Test:
Those who clear the PFT appear for an interview that evaluates communication skills, confidence, and overall suitability for a leadership role in the Coast Guard.
4. Medical Examination:
Candidates who pass the interview undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to ensure they meet the required physical and medical standards for military service.
5. Final Merit List:
The final selection is based on cumulative performance in the written exam, PFT, and interview, after which a merit list is prepared.
Coast Guard AC Exam 2026 Syllabus
The exam syllabus is divided into four key sections:
General Knowledge:
Includes major national and international current affairs, Indian polity, geography, basic sciences, economy, history, and defense-related general awareness.
English Language:
Focuses on grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, sentence formation, and error spotting.
Numerical Ability:
Covers fundamental arithmetic topics such as percentages, ratios, profit and loss, time and distance, averages, number series, and data interpretation.
Reasoning:
Consists of logical reasoning, puzzles, analogies, coding–decoding, syllogisms, seating arrangements, and blood relation questions.
Preparation Tips for Coast Guard AC Aspirants
If you’re just beginning your journey toward the Coast Guard AC exam, these strategic tips will help you build a strong start:
1. Build Your Basics Early:
Strengthen your fundamentals in English, Mathematics, and General Knowledge using NCERT books and reliable competitive exam resources.
2. Stay Updated with Current Affairs:
Read newspapers, monthly current affairs magazines, and defense-focused news platforms regularly to remain informed.
3. Practice Previous Year Papers:
Solving past papers will help you understand the exam pattern, question style, and the pace you need to maintain.
4. Focus on Physical Fitness:
Start training early to develop stamina for running, improve swimming ability, and work on strength-building exercises such as push-ups and sit-ups.
5. Consider Coaching or Online Courses:
Enroll in a coaching institute or opt for online classes that specialize in defense exams for structured preparation and doubt resolution.
6. Manage Your Time Wisely:
Dedicate fixed hours each day to both academics and physical training. Consistent effort is essential for success.
Career Opportunities and Benefits After Selection
Once selected and after completing training at the Indian Coast Guard Academy, candidates are commissioned as Assistant Commandants. The role opens doors to several professional and personal advantages:
Attractive Pay and Allowances:
A competitive salary package supplemented by benefits such as risk and hardship allowances, sea duty pay, comprehensive medical coverage, and subsidized housing.
Job Stability and Prestige:
Serving in a uniformed force backed by the Constitution ensures strong job security and earns significant respect in society.
Leadership and Adventure:
The career offers dynamic challenges through maritime operations, with opportunities to lead units or command vessels.
Specialized Training Pathways:
Officers can pursue specialization in diverse fields like Technical, Law, Logistics, Communication, or General Duty.
Retirement Advantages:
Long-term benefits include pension, gratuity, and other post-service entitlements.
Why Choose Coast Guard AC as a Career?
Opting for a career as a Coast Guard Assistant Commandant is an excellent choice, especially with India’s extensive coastline and growing focus on maritime security. For young aspirants, it offers a unique blend of discipline, adventure, and national service, along with a stable and fulfilling professional journey. The role also provides a well-balanced lifestyle, with diverse opportunities both at sea and onshore.
Coast Guard AC FAQs
The salary of an Assistant Commandant in the Indian Coast Guard starts at ₹56,100 per month under the 7th Pay Commission (Level 10 in the Pay Matrix). Along with the basic pay, they receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Travel Allowance (TA), and other special allowances, which can increase the total monthly salary to around ₹70,000–₹75,000 depending on the posting location and allowances. Additionally, officers are entitled to pension, medical facilities, and other perks as part of their service benefits.
Yes, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Assistant Commandants (ACs) are eligible for a pension after retirement, as they fall under the category of government officers in the armed forces. They receive pension benefits under the Contributory Pension Scheme (for officers who joined after 2004) or the old pension scheme (for those who joined before 2004), along with other retirement benefits such as gratuity and provident fund. The pension amount depends on the length of service, rank at the time of retirement, and the applicable pension rules.
No, an Assistant Commandant and an IAS officer are not equivalent. An Assistant Commandant is a Group A Gazetted officer in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), primarily responsible for law enforcement, security, and paramilitary operations, and is recruited through the UPSC CAPF exam. In contrast, an IAS officer (Indian Administrative Service) is a top civil service officer responsible for administration, policy implementation, and governance at the district, state, and central levels, recruited through the UPSC Civil Services Exam. While both are prestigious and Group A officers, their roles, responsibilities, career paths, and service frameworks are entirely different.
To become an Assistant Commandant (AC) in the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), you must be an Indian citizen and hold a graduate degree from a recognized university. Entry is primarily through the ICG AC Recruitment Exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), which includes Written Exam, Physical Fitness Test (PFT), and Interview. Eligible candidates undergo medical examination and training at the ICG Academy, Goa. Age criteria, educational qualifications, and physical standards vary depending on the branch (General Duty, Technical, or Law). Strong preparation in current affairs, reasoning, and general studies, along with physical fitness, is essential for selection.