Which of the following are the duties and functions of Indian Coast Guard ? 1. Preservation and protection of marine environment 2. Safety and protection of artificial islands 3. Assistance in anti smuggling operations Select the correct answer using the code given below :

1. Constitutional vs. Statutory Bodies (basic)

When we look at the various organizations that govern India, we categorize them based on their source of authority—essentially, where they get their power from. At the highest level are Constitutional Bodies. These are established directly by the Constitution of India. Because they are mentioned in specific Articles, their composition, powers, and functions are relatively permanent and can only be changed through a formal Constitutional Amendment. For instance, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is a constitutional body because it is established under Article 315 Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Union Public Service Commission, p.426. Other examples include the Attorney-General of India (Article 76) and the Comptroller and Auditor-General (Article 148) Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Advocate General of the State, p.453.

On the other hand, Statutory Bodies are created by an Act of Parliament (or a State Legislature). They are not mentioned in the original text of the Constitution but are brought into existence through a "statute" (a law) to handle specific administrative or regulatory tasks. A great example of this distinction is the Joint State Public Service Commission (JSPSC). While the UPSC is created directly by the Constitution, a JSPSC is created by an act of Parliament at the request of the states concerned, making it a statutory—not constitutional—body Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), State Public Service Commission, p.430.

Finally, there is a third category: Non-Constitutional or Executive Bodies. These are created by a simple Executive Resolution of the government (the Union Cabinet) without passing a law in Parliament. They have no constitutional or statutory backing. The most prominent example is NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission in 2015. It exists purely because of a government decision and can be restructured or dissolved without amending the Constitution or repealing an Act Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), NITI Aayog, p.465.

Feature	Constitutional Body	Statutory Body	Executive Body
Origin	Derived from the Constitution	Created by an Act of Parliament	Created by Cabinet Resolution
Example	Election Commission, UPSC	NHRC, SEBI, JSPSC	NITI Aayog
Changes	Needs Constitutional Amendment	Needs an Amendment to the Law	Needs a new Cabinet Order

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Union Public Service Commission, p.426; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), Advocate General of the State, p.453; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), State Public Service Commission, p.430; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), NITI Aayog, p.465

2. India's Maritime Zones (UNCLOS) (basic)

To understand the role of maritime regulatory bodies, we must first understand the 'terrain' they guard. Under the **United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)**, a country's authority doesn't simply end at the shoreline; it extends into the ocean in specific stages. The first key zone is **Territorial Waters**, which extend to **12 nautical miles** from the baseline. Within this zone, India enjoys full sovereignty—its laws apply here just as they do on land Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, p.551. This is why you'll often see the 12-mile limit mentioned in historical maps and surveys Modern India, Bipin Chandra, p.38.

Beyond the territorial waters lies the **Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)**, which stretches up to **200 nautical miles**. While India does not have total sovereignty over the EEZ (ships of other nations can still pass through), it has the exclusive right to explore and exploit all natural resources found there, such as fish, minerals, and offshore oil. A vital constitutional point to remember is that all 'sea-wealth'—including minerals and other things of value found within the territorial waters, the continental shelf, or the EEZ—**vests in the Union of India**, not the adjacent coastal states Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, p.551.

Managing these zones can be complex, especially where boundaries overlap with neighbors. For instance, the maritime boundary between India and Sri Lanka in the **Palk Strait** is a sensitive area that has seen historical shifts, such as the transfer of the **Kachchitevu Island** to Sri Lanka in 1974 Geography of India, Majid Husain, p.50. Because these zones are so vast and economically significant, India requires specialized statutory bodies to police them, protect artificial islands/installations, and prevent illegal activities like smuggling.

Zone	Distance from Baseline	Primary Rights
Territorial Waters	12 Nautical Miles	Full National Sovereignty
Contiguous Zone	24 Nautical Miles	Customs, Fiscal, & Immigration enforcement
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)	200 Nautical Miles	Resource exploration & extraction rights

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Rights and Liabilities of the Government, p.551; Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.), India–Political Aspects, p.50; Modern India ,Bipin Chandra (NCERT 1982 ed.), Indian States and Society in the 18th Century, p.38

3. Integrated Coastal Security Architecture (intermediate)

To understand India's Integrated Coastal Security Architecture, we must first look at the vast expanse it covers. India has a coastline of over 7,500 km, and as per the law, the Union government holds jurisdiction over all minerals and sea-wealth found within our Territorial Waters (extending to 12 nautical miles) and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (extending up to 200 nautical miles) Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Rights and Liabilities of the Government, p.551. Protecting this area isn't just about military defense; it's about a multi-layered regulatory and statutory framework designed to handle everything from piracy to environmental pollution.

At the heart of this architecture is the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), a statutory body established under the Coast Guard Act of 1978. While the Indian Navy focuses on "blue water" (deep sea) operations and national defense, the ICG acts as the principal agency for enforcement in our maritime zones. Its duties are surprisingly broad. Beyond traditional security, the ICG is mandated to preserve and protect the marine environment, preventing and controlling pollution. It also ensures the safety of strategic assets like artificial islands, offshore terminals, and other installations Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.57. Historically, this aligns with the traditional role of maritime forces in India, such as the Maratha navy, which was tasked with guarding ports and collecting customs duties History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board), The Marathas, p.237.

Today, the security architecture is structured as a three-tier system to ensure no gaps are left for infiltrators or smugglers:

Tier	Agency	Primary Jurisdiction
Deep Sea	Indian Navy	Beyond the EEZ and overall maritime defense.
Intermediate	Indian Coast Guard	The Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and anti-smuggling.
Shallow/Coastal	Coastal Police	Territorial waters (shoreline to 12 nautical miles).

Furthermore, the architecture integrates environmental regulation. The National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) and its state counterparts (SCZMAs) hold powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, to monitor and enforce quality standards along the coast Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.57. This ensures that the "security" of our coast includes ecological security, protecting the very geography that defines our borders.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Rights and Liabilities of the Government, p.551; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.57; History, class XI (Tamilnadu state board), The Marathas, p.237

4. Maritime Law Enforcement and Anti-Smuggling (intermediate)

At its core, Maritime Law Enforcement is about extending a nation's sovereignty and legal order to the vast, often turbulent, blue frontier. Unlike land borders, maritime boundaries are fluid and require specialized agencies to monitor activities that threaten national security or economic stability. In India, while the Navy handles external aggression, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), established as an independent armed force under the Coast Guard Act of 1978, is the principal agency for non-military maritime policing. Its jurisdiction primarily covers the maritime zones of India, including the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the continental shelf.

One of the most critical functions of the ICG is anti-smuggling. Smuggling involves the clandestine import or export of goods to evade the Basic Customs Duty imposed under the Customs Act, 1962 Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), Indian Tax Structure and Public Finance, p.95. Because illegal activities like smuggling are excluded from National Income calculations Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), National Income, p.13, they represent a 'leakage' from the formal economy. The ICG acts as the 'muscle' for the Department of Customs, intercepting vessels suspected of carrying contraband like narcotics, gold, or arms before they reach the mainland.

Beyond policing trade, the ICG is mandated with 'functional' law enforcement, which includes the protection of the marine environment (preventing oil spills and pollution) and ensuring the safety of offshore terminals and artificial islands. These offshore assets, such as oil rigs in the Mumbai High, are vital for India's energy security. Since 'Maritime shipping and navigation' and 'Major ports' are subjects listed in the Union List of the Constitution Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), TABLES, p.549, the Central Government has the exclusive power to regulate these areas through agencies like the ICG and the Port authorities Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), World Constitutions, p.708.

Function	Primary Objective	Key Legal/Statutory Link
Anti-Smuggling	Preventing revenue loss and entry of illegal goods.	Assisting Customs under the Customs Act, 1962.
Offshore Security	Protecting oil rigs and artificial islands.	Coast Guard Act, 1978.
Environmental Care	Pollution control and protecting marine species.	Statutory mandate for marine preservation.

Sources: Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), Indian Tax Structure and Public Finance, p.95; Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania (ed 2nd 2021-22), National Income, p.13; Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), TABLES, p.549; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth (7th ed.), World Constitutions, p.708

5. Protection of Offshore Assets and Marine Environment (intermediate)

India’s maritime interests extend far beyond its coastline, encompassing a vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that is a powerhouse for energy security. A significant portion of India's crude oil and natural gas is produced from offshore fields, with the Western Offshore region contributing nearly 40% of the nation's crude oil reserves and the Eastern Offshore (like the Krishna-Godavari basin) playing a dominant role in natural gas Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.12. These assets—which include massive offshore platforms, sub-sea pipelines, and artificial islands—are critical economic vitals that require constant protection from both physical threats (like accidents or sabotage) and environmental hazards.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), established as a statutory body under the Coast Guard Act of 1978, is the primary agency responsible for the safety and protection of these offshore installations and artificial islands. Beyond physical security, the ICG plays a pivotal role in the preservation and protection of the marine environment. This is crucial because the marine ecosystem is highly sensitive; concentrated releases of oil or major spills from tankers and offshore storage can devastate intertidal and shallow-water sub-tidal communities Environment and Ecology, Environmental Degradation and Management, p.25. The ICG acts as the central coordinating authority for marine pollution response in India, ensuring that economic exploitation of the seas does not come at the cost of ecological collapse.

Furthermore, the regulatory framework is bolstered by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, which provides the government with the power to establish machinery for protecting and improving environmental quality while abating pollution Environment, Environmental Pollution, p.73. In the maritime context, this works in tandem with the ICG's mandate to enforce anti-pollution measures. The Coast Guard also assists other statutory bodies, such as the Department of Customs, in anti-smuggling operations, ensuring that the maritime zones remain secure from illegal trade that could bypass national regulatory standards.

Sources: Geography of India, Energy Resources, p.11-12; Environment and Ecology, Environmental Degradation and Management, p.25; Environment, Environmental Pollution, p.73

6. The Coast Guard Act, 1978: Statutory Functions (exam-level)

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was formally established by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed Force of the Union. While the Indian Navy focuses on external threats and maritime warfare, the ICG acts as the primary 'maritime law enforcement' agency during peacetime. Its jurisdiction extends primarily over the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the Territorial Waters of India. This division of labor ensures that India’s vast 7,500 km coastline and its economic interests at sea are monitored by a specialized statutory body.
The statutory functions of the ICG under the 1978 Act are diverse, reflecting its role as a protector of both the economy and the environment. These include:

• Environmental Protection: The ICG is the nodal agency for preventing and controlling marine pollution, including oil spills. This aligns with the broader national goal of protecting aquatic ecosystems Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.54.
• Offshore Security: It is mandated to ensure the safety and protection of artificial islands, offshore terminals, and vital installations like oil rigs in our maritime zones.
• Anti-Smuggling Operations: The ICG plays a critical role in assisting the Department of Customs and other authorities in detecting and preventing smuggling activities at sea.
• Safety of Life and Property: It conducts Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and provides assistance to fishermen in distress. When determining maritime limits, the state often consults hydrographic experts to ensure the occupational interests of these local fishermen are protected Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Protected Area Network, p.213.

Sources: Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Aquatic Ecosystem, p.54; Environment, Shankar IAS Academy, Protected Area Network, p.213; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Fundamental Duties, p.120

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

Now that you have mastered the framework of India's maritime security architecture and the legal status of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), this question tests your ability to identify the specific agency responsible for policing those waters. The building blocks you learned regarding the Coast Guard Act, 1978 come together here: the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was designed as a multi-mission organization to bridge the gap between the purely military role of the Navy and the local jurisdiction of the Marine Police. By understanding that the ICG is the primary 'law enforcement' and 'environmental' responder at sea, you can see how its duties naturally span from ecological preservation to the protection of physical infrastructure.

To arrive at the correct answer, (D) 1, 2 and 3, walk through the functional logic of each statement. Statement 1 aligns with the ICG's role as the lead agency for maritime pollution response (such as oil spills). Statement 2 refers to the security of offshore energy assets and artificial islands, which are vital economic interests within the EEZ. Statement 3 highlights their 'constabulary' function; while Customs manages the legalities of trade, the ICG provides the physical 'muscle' at sea to intercept smugglers. Because the ICG is mandated to protect India's national interests across all these domains, all three statements are accurate representations of their statutory duties as outlined by the Ministry of Defence.

UPSC frequently uses exclusionary traps to make you doubt the breadth of an agency's power. A common mistake is to assume that anti-smuggling or the protection of islands is strictly a Naval or Customs responsibility, which might lead a student to incorrectly choose (A) or (C). However, in the context of Indian maritime law, the ICG acts as a force multiplier that assists other departments. When you see a list of functions that cover safety, environment, and law enforcement for a specialized agency like the ICG, remember that their mandate is intentionally broad to ensure no 'security gaps' exist between the shoreline and the high seas.