Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Age Limit, & Qualification

The Indian Coast Guard Assistant Commandant eligibility for the 2026 batch defines clear requirements for aspiring officers, with emphasis on educational qualifications, age limits, nationality, and physical fitness to ensure candidates are ready for challenging maritime responsibilities. These standards, as outlined in official notifications, help shortlist committed individuals for branches such as General Duty, Technical, and other streams. Understanding these criteria is important for law students and career planners in India who are considering defense opportunities alongside legal career options.

Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Age Requirements

• Applicants must be between 21 and 25 years as of 1 July 2025

• Eligible candidates should have been born between 1 July 2000 and 30 June 2004, both dates included

• Age relaxation provisions apply

  • Up to 5 years for SC and ST candidates

  • Up to 3 years for OBC candidates

• These relaxations help widen access while preserving the required level of selection standards

• The defined age range ensures candidates possess the maturity needed for leadership roles in demanding areas such as coastal security.

Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Educational Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university with at least 60 percent aggregate marks across all semesters for General Duty (GD).

• Mechanical branch applicants should have an engineering degree in relevant fields such as Mechanical Engineering, Naval Architecture, or Automotive Engineering.

• Electrical and Electronics branches require a degree specifically in Electrical or Electronics Engineering disciplines.

• For Commercial Pilot License (CPL) SSA entry, applicants must possess a valid CPL with a minimum of 200 solo flying hours along with the required degree.

• Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level with at least 60 percent marks are commonly mandatory for technical branch entries.

Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Nationality Criteria

• Applicants must be Indian citizens to meet national security and defense requirements.

• Dual citizenship or any form of foreign allegiance is not permitted.

• This clear eligibility condition helps ensure smooth document verification during the Preliminary Selection Board stage.

Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Physical Standards

• Minimum height of 157 cm for male candidates; a relaxation of up to 5 cm is allowed for candidates from specific regions.

• Chest must be well proportioned with a minimum expansion of 5 cm.

• Body weight should be appropriate for the candidate’s height and age, with up to 10 percent excess weight permitted.

• Vision requirements include 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other, correctable to 6/6, with no color blindness.

• Hearing ability must be normal.

• Candidates are advised to clean their ears and teeth before appearing for the medical examination.

Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Medical Fitness

• Only unmarried male candidates are eligible.

• Candidates must be free from major medical conditions such as hydrocele and varicose veins.

• Dental standards require healthy gums and a minimum of 14 dental points.

• Orthopedic conditions like flat foot or knock knees are not permitted, as they affect operational efficiency.

• Final selection is provisional after medical clearance, followed by training at the Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala.

Coast Guard AC Eligibility 2026: Application Essentials

• Online applications were accepted from December 5 to December 24, 2024 through joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in

• The Stage I examination was conducted on February 25, 2025

• Recruitment is for Group A Gazetted Officer posts across multiple branches

• Score normalization is applied to ensure fairness across multiple exam shifts