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Indian Coast Guard (Ministry of Defence)Defence Services⚡ Competitive (Top 2-3%)

Indian Coast Guard Navik & Yantrik (CGEPT - General Duty, Domestic Branch & Engineering)

India's maritime armed force protecting the 7,516 km coastline, economic zone, and sea lanes of communication.

Exam FrequencyTwice a year (01 Batch in September, 02 Batch in February)
Typical Exam WindowDecember (Batch 01) & April (Batch 02)
Total Merit BasisNavik DB: 60 Marks (Section I); Navik GD: 110 Marks (Section I 60 + Section II 50); Yantrik: 110 Marks (Section I 60 + Technical 50) Marks
Official Board PortalICG Official

1. Overview & Eligibility Criteria

Mandatory educational background, age limits, pay scale, and service designations

Executive Summary & Scope

The Coast Guard Enrolled Personnel Test (CGEPT) recruits candidates into the Indian Coast Guard under the Ministry of Defence as Navik (General Duty), Navik (Domestic Branch), and Yantrik (Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics). Operating fast patrol vessels, offshore patrol vessels (OPVs), hovercrafts, Dornier aircraft, and ALH Dhruv helicopters, ICG personnel protect high-seas national interests, counter contraband smuggling, and execute heroic search-and-rescue operations.

Educational Qualification

Navik (DB): 10th Class passed. Navik (GD): 10+2 passed with Mathematics and Physics from a recognized board. Yantrik: 10th Class passed + Diploma in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics / Telecommunication Engineering (3 or 4 years duration) approved by AICTE.

Age Bracket & Relaxations

18 to 22 Years

5 years for SC/ST (up to 27 yrs); 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer, up to 25 yrs).

Permitted Attempts

General / UR: Unlimited within age 18-22 yrs

OBC: Unlimited within age 18-25 yrs

SC / ST: Unlimited within age 18-27 yrs

Pay Scale & Vacancies

Navik (GD & DB): Pay Level 3 (₹21,700 – ₹69,100) + DA + Ration + Coast Guard allowances (~₹35,000 – ₹42,000/mo). Yantrik: Pay Level 5 (₹29,200 – ₹92,300) + Yantrik Pay ₹6,200/mo (~₹48,000 – ₹55,000/mo).

Annual Vacancies: Approx. 300 – 350 vacancies per bi-annual cycle (~650 per year)

Services, Cadres & Appointed Designations:

  • ✦Navik (General Duty - GD) - Ship-borne operations, deck sailor, gunner, small arms specialist, search-and-rescue crew
  • ✦Navik (Domestic Branch - DB) - Stewards and Cooks managing ship logistics, rations, and maritime accommodation
  • ✦Yantrik (Mechanical) - Main propulsion diesel engines, marine hydraulics, auxiliaries repair
  • ✦Yantrik (Electrical / Electronics) - Radars, sonar, ship communications, navigational aids, sensor suites

2. Detailed Exam Pattern & Marking Scheme

Stage-wise breakdown, paper timing, question distribution, and negative marking rules

Negative Marking Rule: NO Negative Marking in ICG Computer Based Examination!

Mode: Online Computer Based Examination (CBT by CDAC) + Physical Assessment Grounds | Medium: Bilingual (Hindi / English).

Stage 1

Stage-I: Computer Based Examination

Total: DB: 60 Marks | GD & Yantrik: 110 Marks Marks • DB: 45 Mins | GD: 75 Mins (45 + 30 Mins)

Online objective test conducted by CDAC. Navik (DB) appears for Section I (60 Marks). Navik (GD) appears for Section I + Section II (Maths & Physics - 110 Marks). Yantrik appears for Section I + Engineering section.

Paper / ComponentFormatQuestionsMarksDurationNegative Marking & Nature
Section I (Common for All Posts)
Maths (20 Qs), Science (10 Qs), English (15 Qs), Reasoning (10 Qs), General Knowledge (5 Qs)
Objective (MCQ)606045 MinutesMinimum 30 marks (UR/EWS/OBC) and 27 marks (SC/ST) required
Section II (For Navik GD only)
Mathematics - Class 11 & 12 Syllabus (25 Qs), Physics - Class 11 & 12 Syllabus (25 Qs)
Objective (MCQ)505030 MinutesMinimum 20 marks (UR/EWS/OBC) and 17 marks (SC/ST) required
Stage 2

Stage-II: Physical Fitness Test (PFT) & Document Verification

Total: Qualifying Marks

Conducted at Coast Guard zonal recruitment centers. 1.6 km run in 7 minutes, 20 squat ups (Uthak Baithak), and 10 push-ups followed by biometric verification.

Paper / ComponentFormatMarksDurationNegative Marking & Nature
Physical Fitness Test (PFT)
1.6 Km run to be completed in 7 minutes, 20 Squat ups (Uthak Baithak) continuously, 10 Push-ups continuously, Height: Minimum 157 cm; Chest: Well proportioned, minimum 5 cm expansion
Medical / PhysicalQualifying1 DayStandard evaluation
Stage 3

Stage-III & IV: Final Medical Examination & Induction

Total: Qualifying Marks

Selected candidates report to premier naval training establishment INS Chilka (Odisha) for final medical examination, original document submission, and commencement of basic naval training.

Paper / ComponentFormatMarksDurationNegative Marking & Nature
Final Medical Examination at INS Chilka
Final medical fitness verification, Document vetting by military intelligence, Commencement of naval seafaring training
Medical / PhysicalQualifying3-5 DaysStandard evaluation

3. Subject-Wise Syllabus & High-Yield Topics

Detailed curriculum modules categorized by standard foundations vs. high-yield scoring chapters

Section I: General Science & Mathematics (Class 10 level)

Weightage: 30 Questions (30 Marks)
Core Syllabus Modules:
Physics: Heat, Optics, Electricity, MagnetismChemistry: Metals, Non-metals, Carbon CompoundsBiology: Human Physiology, Food & NutritionMathematics: Number Systems, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Mensuration, Statistics
High-Yield / Frequently Repeated Questions:
★ Electricity and Circuits★ Trigonometric Identites★ Mensuration (Cylinders & Spheres)★ Periodic Table basics

Section II: Mathematics & Physics (Class 11 & 12 for Navik GD)

Weightage: 50 Questions (50 Marks)
Core Syllabus Modules:
Maths: Vectors, 3D Geometry, Calculus (Limits, Derivatives, Integrals), Matrices, ProbabilityPhysics: Kinematics, Laws of Motion, Thermodynamics, Electrostatics, Magnetic Effects of Current, Optics, Dual Nature of Radiation
High-Yield / Frequently Repeated Questions:
★ Calculus (Integration & Differentiation)★ Vectors & 3D Geometry★ Electrostatics & Current Electricity★ Optics (Ray & Wave Optics)

4. Preparation Blueprint: Strategy & Timeline

Phase-by-phase roadmap, daily study schedule, topper golden rules, and fatal pitfalls to avoid

Topper Strategic Approach

Because the ICG online CBT has NO negative marking, candidates must attempt all questions while maintaining high accuracy in Class 11-12 Physics and Mathematics for the Navik (GD) merit list.

Recommended Timeline4 to 6 Months of preparation
Daily Study Target5 Hours of study + 45 Minutes of fitness

Phase-by-Phase Preparation Roadmap

Phase 1Month 1 & 2

Class 11-12 Science Revision

Mathematics and Physics formulas from NCERT textbooks.

  • Review NCERT Class 11 and 12 Physics: Mechanics, Optics, and Modern Physics.
  • Solve standard calculus, vector, and 3D geometry problems from RD Sharma.
  • Run 1.6 km alternate days to ensure easy clearance within 7 minutes.
🎯 Target Mocks: 1 Sectional test per week
Phase 2Month 3 & 4

Full CBT Mock Drills & Timing Control

Solving combined Section I + II papers within 75 minutes.

  • Take 20 full-length online mock tests on computer.
  • Practice continuous 20 squats (Uthak Baithak) and 10 push-ups in strict military form.
  • Review English grammar and reasoning shortcuts.
🎯 Target Mocks: 3 Full mock tests weekly

Recommended Daily Study Schedule

06:00 AM – 07:00 AMPFT Fitness: 1.6 km run in 6:30 mins + 20 squats + 15 push-ups
09:00 AM – 11:00 AMClass 11-12 Physics: Optics, Thermodynamics & Electrostatics numericals
11:30 AM – 01:30 PMClass 11-12 Mathematics: Calculus, Vectors & Trigonometry problem sets
03:00 PM – 04:30 PMSection I General Topics: English grammar, reasoning, and Class 10 science
07:00 PM – 08:30 PMICG Navik Online CBT 110-Question Mock Test

Toppers' Golden Rules

  • •There is ZERO negative marking in ICG CBT: you MUST attempt all 110 questions (never leave any answer blank).
  • •You must pass Section I and Section II INDEPENDENTLY: scoring 50/50 in Section II is useless if you score below 30 in Section I.
  • •Maintain perfect form during push-ups at Stage-II: instructors reject candidates if back arches or chest does not touch test block.

Fatal Mistakes to Avoid

  • •Failing to clear the mandatory sectional qualifying marks in Section I (30 marks) or Section II (20 marks).
  • •Discrepancies in birth date or father's name between 10th certificate and online application.

5. Recommended Books & Study Materials

Topper-validated standard reference books and chapter-wise question banks

2 Verified References
ICG Navik (GD) ComprehensiveFoundation / Must-Read

Indian Coast Guard Navik (General Duty) Guide & Practice Sets

Author: Arihant Experts | Pub: Arihant Publications

Tailored directly for the CGEPT Section I & II syllabus with detailed chapter-wise theory and practice sets.

Topper's Study Tip: Solve all 25 practice tests with the 75-minute timer enabled.
Physics & Mathematics (Class 11-12)Standard Reference

NCERT Physics & Mathematics Class 11 and 12 Exemplar

Author: NCERT Editorial Board | Pub: NCERT

Direct concept source for 50 questions in Section II of the Navik GD paper.

Topper's Study Tip: Focus on formula sheets for calculus, vectors, and optics.

6. Historical Cutoff Trends & Archives

Official past category-wise cutoffs to benchmark your target mock scores

Cycle / Tier / ServiceGeneral (UR)OBCEWSSCSTScope & Remarks
ICG Navik (GD) 01/2024 Stage-I Final80/11077/11074/11070/11066/110Out of 110 marks (Section I + II combined)
ICG Navik (DB) 01/2024 Stage-I Final51/6049/6048/6045/6042/60Out of 60 marks (Section I only)
ICG Yantrik (Mechanical) 01/202476/11073/110———Out of 110 marks

7. Selection Process Stepper Funnel

From initial application to final cadre allocation and joining the training academy

1

Stage-I: Online Computer Based Examination

Appear for CDAC-administered CBT testing Section I (and Section II for GD).

2

Stage-II: Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

Shortlisted candidates clear 1.6 km run in 7 mins, 20 squats, 10 push-ups, and document verification.

3

Stage-III: Medical Examination at INS Chilka

Report to INS Chilka (Odisha) for final medical review and enlistment.

4

Stage-IV: Verification & Training Commencement

Submission of original documents and commencement of maritime naval training.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

6 Answers

Authoritative SEO & GEO clarifications: Domicile rules, regional languages, exam centers, pay scale & cutoffs

Quick Direct Answer (Verified Official Circular)Yes, male Indian citizens from any state or union territory can apply.
Postings are allocated across Indian Coast Guard's 5 regional headquarters: West (Mumbai), East (Chennai), North-East (Kolkata), Andaman & Nicobar (Port Blair), and North-West (Gandhinagar), covering India's 7,516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
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