Conceptualization Year

2018

Objective

To validate and enhance maritime security measures instituted since the ‘26/11’ attacks.

Focus Areas

Strengthening the security of coastal assets (ports, oil rigs, Single Point Moorings, Cable Landing Points) and critical coastal infrastructure.

Key Participants

Involves 06 Ministries, 21 Organisations/Agencies, the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and the Indian Navy.

Expanded Participation (2024)

Enhanced tempo with additional involvement of Indian Army, Air Force, large deployment of ships and aircraft.

Stakeholder Engagement

Includes fishing community, coastal populace, students from NCC, Bharat Scouts, and Guides.

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces with its headquarters in New Delhi. It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis as a Tri-Services Organisation, comprising the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. Cadets are given basic military training in small arms and drill. Officers and cadets have no liability for active military service once they complete their course. The NCC in India was formed in 1948. It can be traced back to the ‘University Corps’, which was created under the Indian Defence Act 1917, with the objective to make up for a shortage of personnel in the Army. 

The Bharat Scouts and Guides (BSG) is the national Scouting and Guiding association of India. The national headquarters of BSG is recognised by the Government of India. It was founded on 7 November 1950. Scouting was founded in India in 1909 as an overseas branch of the Scout Association and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1938.

Primary Aim

Raise awareness about maritime security among coastal communities.

Scope

Activates Coastal Security apparatus across India to assess the Coastal Defence mechanism.

Holistic Approach

Engages complete coastal security infrastructure and all maritime stakeholders.

Precursor to

Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), conducted biennially by the Indian Navy.

heatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) is an inter-service military exercise involving the participation of the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy and the Coast Guard. The exercise generally commences at the beginning of each year and lasts a month. It is generally carried out in three phrases: independent workup phase, joint workup phase and tactical phase.

The exercise is designed to test the combat readiness of the Indian naval units, as well as the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard.

Beginning in 2005, the exercise has been held annually, with the exception of 2016 and 2018. The last edition of the exercise was conducted in 2021.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Exercise Sea Vigil?

1. It is a biennial exercise conducted by the Indian Navy in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard.
2. It aims to enhance the coastal security framework and increase the operational readiness of maritime forces.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Both statements are correct.

Exercise Sea Vigil is a major coastal defense exercise conducted by the Indian Navy in collaboration with other maritime agencies, including the Indian Coast Guard, and state governments. It is aimed at enhancing maritime security and testing the operational readiness of the entire coastal security apparatus.