Indian Coast Guard Navik 2026: GD and DB Exam Pattern, Syllabus and Preparation

As of 8 June 2026, the Indian Coast Guard Navik 2026 notification date, exam schedule, and intake numbers have not been confirmed here. Every date and number on this page is last-cycle-based or candidate-reported; verify on the official Indian Coast Guard recruitment portal at joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in, which is the binding source.

The Indian Coast Guard is India's fourth armed service, operating under the Ministry of Defence with responsibility for coastal security, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and marine environment protection.

Navik 2026 Status and Source Discipline

Indian Coast Guard recruits Naviks in two batches per year (January batch and July batch, approximately). The notification, intake, and exam schedule appear on joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in.

Navik Exam Pattern (Last-Cycle Basis)

Navik GD (General Duty) Written Test

Duration: 60 minutes. Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer (last-cycle basis; confirm in notice).

Navik DB (Domestic Branch) Written Test

Duration: 45 minutes (approximate). Confirm the exact DB paper structure in the official notification.

Eligibility Table (Verify in the 2026 Notice)

Physical Standards (last-cycle basis, verify in notice):

Syllabus: Section-by-Section Breakdown

Mathematics (25 marks, GD)

Number System:

• Real numbers: rational, irrational, properties
• HCF and LCM: factorisation method, division method, word problems
• Percentage: calculation, application in discount, tax, interest
• Ratio and proportion: direct and inverse proportion, partnership
• Profit and loss: cost price, selling price, marked price, discount

Algebra:

• Algebraic expressions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, factoring
• Linear equations: single variable, two variables (substitution and elimination)
• Quadratic equations: factoring, quadratic formula, nature of roots
• Polynomials: degree, zeroes

Geometry:

• Lines and angles: types, parallel lines cut by transversal (alternate, corresponding, co-interior angles)
• Triangles: types, properties, congruence criteria (SSS, SAS, ASA, RHS), similarity criteria, Pythagoras theorem
• Quadrilaterals: properties of parallelogram, rectangle, rhombus, square
• Circles: radius, diameter, chord, arc, tangent properties, inscribed angles

Trigonometry:

• Trigonometric ratios: sin, cos, tan, cosec, sec, cot; standard values (0, 30, 45, 60, 90 degrees)
• Complementary angles: sin A = cos (90-A) relationships
• Heights and distances: angle of elevation and depression problems

Mensuration:

• Area and perimeter of rectangle, square, triangle, circle, trapezium
• Surface area and volume of cube, cuboid, cylinder, cone, sphere

Statistics:

• Mean, median, mode (ungrouped and simple grouped data)
• Simple bar graphs and pie chart reading

Science: Physics (25 marks, GD)

Mechanics:

• Distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration; equations of motion for uniform acceleration
• Newton's three laws of motion; friction: types and applications
• Work, energy, power; conservation of mechanical energy
• Gravitation: universal law, g, free fall, escape velocity concept

Properties of Matter:

• Pressure in fluids; atmospheric pressure; Archimedes' principle and buoyancy
• Surface tension (concept); capillarity

Thermodynamics and Heat:

• Temperature and heat; scales of temperature (Celsius, Kelvin, Fahrenheit conversion)
• Specific heat; latent heat
• Modes of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)

Light:

• Reflection: laws, plane mirror, spherical mirrors (mirror formula, sign convention, ray diagrams)
• Refraction: Snell's law, refractive index, total internal reflection
• Lenses: convex and concave, lens formula, power of lens, human eye defects

Electricity and Magnetism:

• Electric current, resistance, Ohm's law
• Series and parallel circuits: equivalent resistance
• Magnetic field: properties, electromagnet, electric motor and generator concepts
• Fleming's left-hand and right-hand rules

Waves and Sound:

• Wave properties: wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed
• Sound waves: speed in different media, echo, applications of ultrasound
• The electromagnetic spectrum: visible light in context of the spectrum

English (25 marks, GD; 20 marks, DB)

• Grammar: tenses (all forms), subject-verb agreement, articles, prepositions, modal verbs, active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech
• Vocabulary: synonyms, antonyms, one-word substitution, idioms and phrases
• Comprehension: 1 unseen passage with 4 to 5 questions
• Error detection: identify the error in underlined parts of sentences
• Fill in the blanks: grammar and vocabulary items
• Sentence rearrangement: jumbled sentences in logical order

General Knowledge (25 marks, both GD and DB)

Indian Coast Guard specifics (heavily weighted in GK for this exam):

• Indian Coast Guard history: established 1977 under the Coast Guard Act 1978; operates under Ministry of Defence; distinct from the Indian Navy
• ICG mission: coastal security, search and rescue (SAR) at sea, marine environment protection, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy, fisheries protection, assistance to mariners
• ICG fleet: offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), fast patrol vessels (FPVs), hovercrafts (unique to ICG; used in coastal mudflat areas), helicopters (Chetak, ALH-Dhruv for SAR)
• ICG districts: ICG is organised into five regions (North-West, West, East, Andaman and Nicobar, North-East); district HQs at major coastal cities
• Maritime zones: Territorial Sea (12 nautical miles), Contiguous Zone (24 nm), Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm); UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea); India's EEZ of approximately 2.02 million sq km
• Major ICG operations: Operation Sagar Maitri (SAR assistance to neighbouring nations), anti-piracy operations in Gulf of Aden
• Sagarmala Project: Ministry of Ports' port-led development initiative; ICG involvement in port security

General Current Affairs:

• Last 6 to 12 months national and international events
• Sports, awards, science and technology
• India's maritime affairs: shipping policy, new coast guard stations

Indian Geography and History (basic level):

• India's coastline: states with coastline (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal; and union territories Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar)
• India's rivers, ports, and major coastal cities
• History: national movement, post-independence events at competitive exam level

Physical Fitness Test and Medical for Shortlisted Candidates

Physical Fitness Test (PFT):

Medical Standards:

Vision requirements are specific to GD and DB posts; GD typically has stricter uncorrected vision requirements. Confirm the exact vision standards in the official notification. Colour vision testing applies; uncorrected colour blindness disqualifies for GD. Hearing, dental, and general health standards also apply.

Stage-Wise Selection Process

1. Online Written Test (CBT): Merit-based shortlisting.
2. Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Qualifying. No merit from PFT score.
3. Medical Examination: Qualifying.
4. Document Verification: Class 12 (GD) or Class 10 (DB) certificates, age proof, category certificates.
5. Merit List: Based on written test score (PFT and medical are qualifying gates only).
6. Basic Training: At ICG training establishments (INS Chilika, Kochi, or other designated centres).

Preparation Strategy

Phase 1: Science (Physics) for GD (Weeks 1 and 2)

Revise Class 9 and 10 NCERT Science and Class 11 Physics for the GD science section. Optics (reflection and refraction with calculations) and electricity (Ohm's law, series-parallel circuits) are highest-frequency question topics for Coast Guard.

Phase 2: Mathematics (Week 2 and 3)

Revise Class 9 and 10 NCERT Mathematics for Navik GD Math. Mensuration (surface area and volume) and trigonometry (heights and distances) are standard exam topics. Practise 25 math questions in under 15 minutes (leaving 45 minutes for other sections).

Phase 3: GK with ICG Focus (Week 3 and 4)

Indian Coast Guard-specific GK is the differentiator for this exam that generic study for AFCAT or Agniveer will not cover. Study ICG's five regions, fleet types (particularly the hovercraft; it is unique to ICG and almost always tested), ICG's role in SAR versus Navy's combat role, and the 200 nautical mile EEZ boundary.

Phase 4: English (Week 4)

Class 10 to 12 standard English grammar and vocabulary. Practise 25 questions in under 20 minutes.

Phase 5: Physical Training (Throughout)

1.6 km run in under 6.5 minutes (for safety margin over the typical 7-minute requirement). Push-ups and sit-ups can be built to 20 over 4 to 6 weeks of daily practice.

Sample Questions with Answers

Q1. The Indian Coast Guard was established under which Act? The Coast Guard Act 1978. The Indian Coast Guard was constituted as an independent armed service under the Ministry of Defence.

Q2. What is India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extent? 200 nautical miles from the baselines (generally the coastline). India's EEZ covers approximately 2.02 million square kilometres, making it one of the world's larger maritime zones.

Q3. Which type of vessel is unique to the Indian Coast Guard and suited for shallow coastal and mudflat operations? Hovercraft. The Indian Coast Guard operates hovercraft for operations in shallow coastal waters, tidal mudflats, and riverine estuaries where conventional vessels cannot operate. They are used for fast interception, SAR, and anti-smuggling operations in difficult coastal terrain.

Internal Links

For related naval defence exam guides, see the Agniveer Navy 2026 guide, the CAPF AC 2026 guide, and the SSC GD Physical Standards 2026 guide on PapersAdda. For the 2026 government exams calendar, see PapersAdda.