India’s coastal security arrangements are under review as the Indian Navy coordinates Sea Vigil-26, the fifth Pan-India Coastal Defence Exercise, running from November 11 to 19, 2026. The exercise is intended to assess maritime security preparedness and coordination among the agencies responsible for protecting the coast.
The Navy is the lead coordinating agency. Activities extend across India’s coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), with all coastal states and Union Territories taking part.
Readiness review followed by sea operations
The exercise has two phases. From November 11 to 17, the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation (CDSRE) will examine existing security arrangements, operational preparedness and coordination between participating agencies.
The Sea Phase is scheduled for November 18 and 19. Maritime security operations during this phase will test coastal defence arrangements under realistic conditions.
Developed after the 2008 Mumbai attacks
Sea Vigil was conceptualised in 2018 as part of efforts to strengthen maritime security following the November 26, 2008, Mumbai terror attacks. The attacks exposed weaknesses in coastal surveillance and security arrangements, prompting measures to improve maritime domain awareness, inter-agency coordination and coastal defence capabilities.
The nationwide exercise was established to validate those measures and identify areas that may need further improvement.
Participation across maritime security agencies
Personnel and assets from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime agencies are participating. The exercise is facilitated by the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Central government agencies, coastal state administrations and Union Territory authorities are also involved. Fishing communities and coastal populations will take part, reflecting their role in identifying suspicious activities and supporting maritime security efforts.
With its broad geographic reach and multiple participating organisations, Sea Vigil-26 will assess security procedures, communication networks, surveillance arrangements and operational coordination. The exercise is expected to help identify potential gaps and inform improvements to India’s maritime defence architecture.
Sea Vigil’s place before TROPEX
Sea Vigil also serves as a precursor to the Indian Navy’s biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), one of the Navy’s major operational exercises. Sea Vigil focuses on coastal defence and maritime security preparedness, while TROPEX evaluates wider naval operational capabilities, including operations on the high seas.
Together, the exercises cover challenges ranging from threats along India’s coastline to complex scenarios across the wider maritime domain. The Indian Navy stated that a national-level Sea Vigil provides an opportunity to assess overall preparedness for maritime security and coastal defence. Sea Vigil-26 is expected to deliver a realistic assessment of coastal security capabilities while strengthening coordination and operational readiness.
