Water vigil

The Coast Guard is the principal agency protecting the maritime zones of India and ensuring the safety and protection of the artificial islands, offshore installations. Here's a lowdown on the career.

The lowdown
The Coast Guard is the principal agency protecting the maritime zones of India and ensuring the safety and protection of the artificial islands, offshore installations etc. It is also supposed to provide protection to Indian fishermen and assist them in case they face any problems. The Coast Guard’s duties also include preservation and protection of the maritime environment, including prevention and control of maritime pollution and helping customs and other authorities in anti-smuggling operations

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Clock Work
The coast guard has dedicated, professional team of officers and men who operate ships and aircraft for safeguarding country’s maritime interests. The life of a Coast Guard officer is a mix of hard work, professionalism, risk, adventure and the opportunity to move around and visit different places within India and abroad. An officer’s routine would depend on the function he is performing and varies accordingly

The payoff
As an assistant commandant one gets to take home Rs 15,600 to Rs 39,100 with a grade pay of Rs 5,400. As a deputy commandant the grade pay increases to R6,600. As the deputy inspector general the pay is Rs 37,400 to Rs 67,000 with a grade pay of Rs 8,700. As one moves up to the level of the director general the grade pay increases to Rs 12,000.

The pay includes dearness allowance, kit maintenance allowance and transport allowance. In addition, other allowances are also admissible based on the nature of duty and place of posting

Skills/TRAITS
. Physical stamina
. Good communication skills
. Knowledge of the Indian coastline is an added advantage

Institutes and URLs
www.indiancoastguard.nic.in

Pros and cons
. A respected profession, full of adventure
. The perks are very encouraging