INDIAN NAVY TO COORDINATE FIFTH EDITION OF PAN-INDIA COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE 'SEA VIGIL-26'
PIB National (English) · Published 11 November 2026 · Last updated
The Indian Navy is coordinating the fifth edition of the pan-India coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil-26 from 11 to 19 November 2026 to evaluate maritime security and coastal defence preparedness.
Key points
- The fifth edition of the pan-India coastal defence exercise Sea Vigil-26 is being held from 11 to 19 November 2026.
- The Indian Navy is coordinating the exercise as the lead agency across the entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
- The exercise is conducted in two phases, starting with the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation phase from 11 to 17 November 2026.
- The second phase of Sea Vigil-26 is the Sea Phase, scheduled for 18 and 19 November 2026.
- All coastal states and Union Territories are participating in the exercise alongside maritime stakeholders including fishing and coastal communities.
- Participating units include assets from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, and Customs.
- The conduct of the exercise is facilitated by the Ministries of Defence, Home Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
- Sea Vigil serves as a build-up to the Indian Navy's biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise known as TROPEX.
Background
- Exercise Sea Vigil was conceptualised in 2018 to validate measures instituted for maritime security following the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
- The exercise builds upon previous editions held to assess the nation's apex-level preparedness toward maritime security and coastal defence.
Prelims facts and Mains angle for this issue are in the full SWAदेSH note.
Original report: PIB National (English)