Coastal Security — Current Affairs 2026

Current Affairs Connections

Recent developments and news linked to Coastal Security.

Sea Vigil 2024 - Largest Coastal Security Exercise

January 2024

Sea Vigil 2024, conducted along India's entire coastline, tested the coordination between 21 agencies and involved over 10,000 personnel. The exercise focused on emerging threats including drone attacks, cyber warfare against port infrastructure, and coordinated multi-point infiltration attempts. The exercise revealed improved inter-agency coordination compared to previous years but highlighted persistent challenges in remote island security and small vessel monitoring. The integration of artificial intelligence in threat detection and the use of satellite-based surveillance marked significant technological advancement in coastal security operations.

UPSC Angle: UPSC can frame questions about the evolution of coastal security exercises, multi-agency coordination mechanisms, and the integration of new technologies in maritime security. The exercise demonstrates practical implementation of coastal security policies and provides current examples for answer writing.

National Maritime Domain Awareness Project Launch

March 2024

The government launched the National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) project with a budget allocation of ₹2,000 crores over five years. The project aims to create a unified maritime surveillance system integrating coastal radars, satellite imagery, AIS data, and artificial intelligence for comprehensive threat detection. The system will provide real-time maritime picture to all security agencies and enable predictive analysis of potential security threats. The project includes cybersecurity measures to protect against digital attacks on maritime infrastructure and establishes redundant communication systems for crisis situations.

UPSC Angle: This development is relevant for questions about technological modernization in security apparatus, budget allocation for security infrastructure, and the integration of emerging technologies in traditional security domains. It also connects to broader themes of digital India and cybersecurity.