Overview

The Indian coast guard, also known as 'Bharatiya Tatrakshak', was constituted as an armed force of the Union under the Ministry of Defense, on 19 August 1978.

MAIN AREAS OF WORK

The functions performed by the Indian coast guard can be broadly categorized into four major areas. These include the general duty branch, the pilot/navigator branch, the engineering branch, and the electrical branch.

THE GENERAL DUTY BRANCH 

It's the operational branch of the coast guard. Officers in this branch are responsible for exercising the command of ships at sea. General duty officers operate weapons and sensors and also perform the command function, which demands a wide sphere of knowledge, especially of the equipment involved. 

Their responsibilities also include the safety of ships and men, the maneuver of ships in times of war, as well as peacetime operations.

THE PILOT/NAVIGATOR BRANCH 

Of the coast guard operates fixed-wing aircraft from shore air stations for purposes of surveillance of the exclusive economic zone. Moreover, helicopters are also embarked on coast guard offshore patrol vessels for purposes of local surveillance and the performance of search and rescue missions at sea. Officers in this area are responsible for serving the shore air stations along the coasts of India, and also with embarking ships.

THE ENGINEERING BRANCH 

Deals with the maintenance and repair of the various ships and aircraft on the coastal shores. Technical training is also available in this field, upto the level of post graduation.

THE ELECTRICAL BRANCH 

Is responsible for the effective and efficient functioning of the power generation and distribution system of the ship, the radio, communication equipment, radars and other sensors that are installed on board. The work in this area requires an awareness of the latest trend in electronics.