The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), functioning under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), conducts the nationwide Coast Guard Enrolled Personnel Test (CGEPT) for induction into Navik (General Duty), Navik (Domestic Branch), and Yantrik (Electrical, Electronics & Mechanical) posts. Securing selection requires navigating a 5-section CBT written exam, meeting mandatory age and educational eligibility, passing 1.6 km physical endurance tests (PET), and adhering to strict photo slate and 10–50 KB signature upload standards.
CGEPT 2026 Examination & Selection Blueprint
1. Age Limits & Educational Eligibility Criteria
Before applying on the Join Indian Coast Guard CGEPT recruitment portal, candidates must ensure they fulfill the exact statutory age and educational benchmarks:
10th Class Entry
- Education: 10th Class passed from an education board recognized by COBSE.
- Age Limit: 18 to 22 Years.
- Roles: Cook (Preparation of food & menu accounting) and Steward (Housekeeping, officer mess duties).
10+2 Maths & Physics Entry
- Education: 10+2 passed with Mathematics and Physics as compulsory subjects from a COBSE recognized board.
- Age Limit: 18 to 22 Years.
- Roles: Ship operation, weapons handling, radar monitoring, SAR boarding operations.
Engineering Diploma Entry
- Education: 10th passed + 3 or 4 year Diploma in Electrical / Mechanical / Electronics & Telecommunication approved by AICTE.
- Age Limit: 18 to 22 Years.
- Roles: Ship engineering systems, engine maintenance, electrical grid management, electronics radar repair.
📌 Age Relaxation Rules:
- SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years relaxation in upper age limit (Eligible up to 27 years).
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years relaxation in upper age limit (Eligible up to 25 years).
2. Pay Scales, Allowances & Rank Promotion Hierarchy (Level 3 to Level 10)
Service in the Indian Coast Guard offers substantial financial security, medical coverage, and a well-defined promotional ladder governed by the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC):
| Rank / Cadre Name | Pay Level (7th CPC) | Basic Starting Pay | Special Pay & Benefits | Gross In-Hand Monthly Pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navik (GD) / Navik (DB) | Level 3 | ₹21,700 | DA + Free Ration + CSD Canteen + Medical | ₹35,000 – ₹42,000 |
| Yantrik (Technical Entry) | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | ₹6,200/mo Yantrik Pay + DA + Ration | ₹48,000 – ₹55,000 |
| Uttam Navik (1st Promotion) | Level 4 | ₹25,500 | DA + Ration + Medical + TA | ₹42,000 – ₹48,000 |
| Pradhan Navik / Uttam Yantrik | Level 5 | ₹29,200 | DA + Yantrik Pay + Ration | ₹50,000 – ₹58,000 |
| Adhikari / Pradhan Yantrik | Level 6 | ₹35,400 | DA + Higher Technical Allowance | ₹62,000 – ₹72,000 |
| Uttam Adhikari | Level 7 | ₹44,900 | DA + Subedar Level Benefits | ₹78,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Pradhan Adhikari (Apex Rank) | Level 8 to 10 | ₹47,600 – ₹56,100 | Highest Subedar Major Cadre Pay | ₹90,000 – ₹1,15,000 |
| Assistant Commandant (Officer) | Level 10 | ₹56,100 | ₹15,500/mo MSP + Flying Allowance | ₹95,000 – ₹1,18,000 |
3. Post-Wise Exam Structure & Section Combination Matrix
In the CGEPT Stage-I examination, candidates must appear for specific section combinations based on the post applied for. Each section carries an independent pass mark requirement:
| Post Name | Mandatory Written Test Sections | Total Questions & Marks | Total Time Duration | Passing Cut-Off (UR/EWS/OBC) | Passing Cut-Off (SC/ST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Navik (Domestic Branch - DB) | Section I | 60 Qs | 60 Marks | 45 Minutes | 30 Marks | 27 Marks |
| Navik (General Duty - GD) | Section I + Section II | 110 Qs | 110 Marks | 75 Minutes (45 + 30) | 50 Marks (30 in Sec I + 20 in Sec II) | 44 Marks (27 in Sec I + 17 in Sec II) |
| Yantrik (Electrical) | Section I + Section III | 110 Qs | 110 Marks | 75 Minutes (45 + 30) | 50 Marks (30 in Sec I + 20 in Sec III) | 44 Marks (27 in Sec I + 17 in Sec III) |
| Yantrik (Electronics) | Section I + Section IV | 110 Qs | 110 Marks | 75 Minutes (45 + 30) | 50 Marks (30 in Sec I + 20 in Sec IV) | 44 Marks (27 in Sec I + 17 in Sec IV) |
| Yantrik (Mechanical) | Section I + Section V | 110 Qs | 110 Marks | 75 Minutes (45 + 30) | 50 Marks (30 in Sec I + 20 in Sec V) | 44 Marks (27 in Sec I + 17 in Sec V) |
4. Exhaustive Syllabus Breakdown: Section I to Section V
📐 Section I & Section II: General & GD Physics/Maths
⚡ Section III: Yantrik Electrical Engineering Syllabus (50 Qs)
- Basic Electrical Circuits: KCL, KVL, Network Theorems (Thevenin, Norton, Superposition), AC Fundamentals, 3-Phase Circuits, Resonance.
- Electrical Machines: Transformers (Equivalent Circuit, Efficiency, Losses), DC Generators/Motors, Synchronous Machines, 3-Phase Induction Motors.
- Power Systems & Protection: Transmission Line Parameters, Switchgear & Relays, Fault Analysis, Substation Equipment, Earthing Methods.
- Electrical & Electronic Measurements: PMMC, Moving Iron Instruments, Oscilloscopes (CRO), Bridge Circuits (Wheatstone, Maxwell, Kelvin).
- Basic & Digital Electronics: PN Junction Diodes, Zener Regulators, BJT/FET Amplifiers, Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps), Logic Gates, Boolean Algebra.
📡 Section IV: Yantrik Electronics Engineering Syllabus (50 Qs)
- Analog & Electronic Devices: Semiconductor Physics, Transistor Biasing, Small Signal Amplifiers, Power Amplifiers, Oscillators, Op-Amps (741 IC).
- Digital Electronics & Microprocessors: Logic Families (TTL, CMOS), Combinational & Sequential Circuits, Flip-Flops, Shift Registers, Counters, 8085/8086 Microprocessor Architecture & Programming.
- Communication Systems: Analog Modulation (AM, FM, PM), Digital Modulation (PCM, ASK, FSK, PSK), Antenna Wave Propagation, Fiber Optics Communications, Radar Systems.
- Network Theory & Control Systems: Two-Port Networks, Transient Response, Transfer Functions, Block Diagram Reduction, Signal Flow Graphs, Bode Plots.
⚙️ Section V: Yantrik Mechanical Engineering Syllabus (50 Qs)
- Thermodynamics & IC Engines: First & Second Laws of Thermodynamics, Otto, Diesel & Dual Cycles, IC Engine Performance, Boilers & Steam Turbines, Refrigeration & Air Conditioning.
- Fluid Mechanics & Hydraulic Machines: Fluid Statics, Bernoulli's Equation, Viscous Flow, Laminar & Turbulent Flow, Pelton Wheel, Francis & Kaplan Turbines, Centrifugal Pumps.
- Engineering Mechanics & Strength of Materials: Stress-Strain Relationships, Shearing Force & Bending Moment Diagrams, Torsion of Shafts, Thin/Thick Cylinders, Trusses.
- Theory of Machines & Machine Design: Kinematic Pairs & Chains, Governors, Flywheels, Gears & Gear Trains, Design of Shafts, Keys, Belt Drives & Bearings.
- Manufacturing Technology: Metal Casting, Welding (Arc, TIG, MIG), Metal Forming, Machining Processes (Lathe, Milling, Drilling), CNC Machines, Quality Control.
5. CBT Normalization & 3-Tier Merit Tie-Breaking Rules
Because the CGEPT Stage-I CBT examination is conducted across multiple shifts nationwide, raw scores are normalized using standard statistical percentile formulas to ensure equity across test sessions. In case two or more candidates achieve equal normalized final scores, Indian Coast Guard enforces a strict 3-tier tie-breaker protocol:
⚖️ Official CGEPT Tie-Breaking Hierarchy:
- Tie-Breaker 1 (Sectional Score Supremacy): Candidate scoring higher marks in Section I (for Navik DB/GD/Yantrik) or Section II (for Navik GD) is ranked higher on the merit list.
- Tie-Breaker 2 (Age Seniority): If sectional marks are identical, the candidate older in age (earlier Date of Birth) is granted higher merit position.
- Tie-Breaker 3 (Alphabetical Name Order): If age is also identical, the candidate whose first name appears earlier in alphabetical sequence (A to Z) is placed higher on the merit roster.
6. Official Chalk Slate Photo Specification & Rejection Traps
The Join Indian Coast Guard online portal enforces a strict chalkboard slate photo policy. Over 18% of application rejections occur due to improper photo submission. Follow the visual compliance blueprint below:
- Candidate holding BLACK SLATE in front of chest.
- Candidate NAME and DATE OF PHOTO (DOP) written in white chalk.
- Clear light/white background, sharp focus, no caps or spectacles.
- Photo without holding black slate in front of chest.
- Using white paper or cardboard instead of a black slate.
- Digitally typing name/date via Photoshop instead of chalk writing.
- Selfie photos, wearing sunglasses, caps, or dark background.
7. Official Sources & Verification Notes
To verify official CGEPT recruitment notifications, download detailed gazette advertisements, and track online admit cards or result lists, always refer directly to the statutory portals:
- Join Indian Coast Guard Official Candidate Portal (joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in) ↗: Primary online registration, login, and application gateway for Navik (GD/DB), Yantrik, and Assistant Commandant entries.
- CGEPT Detailed Notification & Upload Rules (joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in/cgept/) ↗: Statutory clause (aa) specifying the mandatory chalkboard slate photo with candidate name & date in white chalk and 10–50 KB signature upload standards.
- Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India (mod.gov.in) ↗: Governing Union Ministry overseeing Indian Coast Guard armed service regulations and 7th CPC pay matrices.
Editorial Verification Note: Requirements and specifications documented in this guide are checked against official Indian Coast Guard CGEPT notifications. Candidates must review their specific batch notification before final submission.
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Frequently Asked Questions (6 Clarified)
Use the official sources referenced in this article to confirm current requirements.
Q1 What is the age limit and relaxation for Indian Coast Guard Navik and Yantrik?
Q2 Is there negative marking in Indian Coast Guard CGEPT Stage-I examination?
Q3 What are the passing cut-off marks for Navik (GD) in CGEPT?
Q4 What is the chalkboard slate photo rule for Join Indian Coast Guard online application?
Q5 How are tie-breakers resolved if two candidates get equal marks in CGEPT?
Q6 What is the salary and promotion ladder for Indian Coast Guard Enrolled Personnel?
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Resize Documents for Coast Guard Signature (10–100 KB) — CGEPT 2027
Official Specs: 140×60 px (× cm), file size strictly 10 to 100 KB (Ink specified in your application).