Indian Coast Guard Navik GD Syllabus 2026 – Complete Exam Pattern & Selection Process

Indian Coast Guard Navik GD selection is a 4-stage process — written exam, physical fitness test, medical examination, and document verification. Most aspirants prepare only for the written test and then struggle at PFT because they underestimated the continuous-run requirement. This article breaks down every stage: exact subjects and topics for both sections of the written exam, PFT standards with a preparation approach, medical standards, and the "inconsistent performer" rule that surprises many candidates.

👉 ICG Navik GD Eligibility 2026 — Age limit, height 157 cm, vision 6/6, and complete physical standards before you apply.

Selection Process Overview — ICG Navik GD 2026

Stage	What It Tests	Format	Qualifying
Stage I — Written (CBT)	Academic: Science, Maths, English, GK, Reasoning (Section I) + Physics & Maths 11-12 (Section II)	Computer Based, Objective Type, 110 questions	Merit cutoff (varies by batch/category)
Stage II — PFT	Physical fitness — run, squats, push-ups	1.6 km run (7 min) + 20 squat-ups + 10 push-ups (all continuous)	Pass/Fail — all three events mandatory
Stage II — Document Verification (DV)	Original documents cross-checked against online application	In-person verification at venue	Pass/Fail
Stage II — Medical	Height, weight, vision, hearing, chest, overall fitness	Examination by authorized Defence Medical Officers	Pass/Fail as per ICG medical standards
Final Merit	Rank-based on Written score, within region	Region-wise merit list	Number of vacancies

Important: Stage I (written) determines merit order. Stage II is qualifying — you must pass PFT, DV, and Medical to be considered. Final selection is based on written score among those who cleared Stage II, within region-wise vacancies.

Stage I — Written Examination (CBT): Section I Syllabus

Section I of the Navik GD written exam covers Class 10 CBSE level content across five subjects. This is the section where most candidates should aim to score maximum marks since competition is heaviest here. Source: Official ICG syllabus published at joinindiancoastguard.cdac.in.

👉 ICG Navik GD Salary 2026 — ₹21,700 basic + MSP ₹5,200 + allowances. Full pay breakdown and career salary ladder.

Subject	Key Topics
Science	Nature of matter, Universe (planets, earth, satellites, sun), Electricity and applications, Force & gravitation, Newton's Laws, Work/Energy/Power, Heat, Temperature, Metals & non-metals, Carbon compounds, Measurements in Science, Sound & wave motion, Atomic structure
Mathematics	Mathematical simplification, Ratio & proportion, Algebraic identities, Linear equations & polynomials, Simultaneous equations, Basic trigonometry, Simple mensuration, Geometry, Measures of central tendency (Average, Median, Mode), Interest, Profit/Loss/Percentage, Work-Time-Speed-Distance
English	Reading comprehension (passage), Prepositions, Sentence correction, Active/passive voice conversion, Direct/indirect speech, Verbs/Tense/Non-finites, Punctuation, Phrasal verbs, Synonyms & antonyms, Meanings of difficult words, Adjectives, Compound prepositions, Pronouns
General Awareness	Geography (soil, rivers, mountains, ports, inland harbours), Culture & religion, Freedom movement, National facts (heritage, arts, dance), History, Defence/wars/neighbours, Awards & authors, Discoveries, Diseases & nutrition, Current affairs, Languages, Capitals & currencies, Common names, Full forms & abbreviations, Eminent personalities, National symbols (bird, animal, sport, flower, anthem, song, flag), Sports championships
Reasoning	Spatial reasoning, Numerical reasoning, Associative ability, Sequences, Spelling unscrambling, Coding and decoding

Note: Science and Mathematics in Section I are at CBSE Class 10 level only. NCERT Class 9 and 10 books are the standard reference for these subjects.

Stage I — Written Examination (CBT): Section II Syllabus

Section II covers Class 11 and 12 level Physics and Mathematics — substantially harder than Section I. This is where candidates who have recently appeared in board exams or competitive exams (JEE, NDA, etc.) have an advantage. The complete Section II topics from the official syllabus:

Subject	Topics
Physics (Class 11-12)	Physical world & measurement, Kinematics, Laws of motion, Work/Energy/Power, Circular motion, Motion of particles & rigid body, Gravitation, Bulk matter properties, Thermodynamics, Kinetic theory of gases, Oscillations & waves, Electrostatics, Current electricity, Magnetic effects of current & magnetism, Electromagnetic induction & alternating currents, Electromagnetic waves, Optics, Dual nature of matter & radiation, Atoms & nuclei, Electronic devices, Communication systems
Mathematics (Class 11-12)	Sets, Relations & Functions, Trigonometric functions, Mathematical induction, Complex numbers & quadratic equations, Linear inequalities, Permutations & combinations, Binomial theorem, Sequences & series, Matrices & determinants, Vectors & 3D geometry, Linear programming, Coordinate geometry (straight lines, conic sections, 3D geometry), Calculus (limits, derivatives, continuity, integrals, differential equations), Mathematical reasoning, Statistics & probability

This is essentially the full CBSE Class 11-12 physics and mathematics syllabus. If you have recently completed Class 12 or appeared for JEE, this section will feel familiar. For candidates who passed out a few years ago, targeted revision of NCERT Class 11-12 Physics and Mathematics is essential.

Stage II — Physical Fitness Test (PFT): Events and Standards

The PFT is a pass/fail event — there are no partial marks or partial passes. All three events must be completed in sequence without any break. Taking a break between events leads to automatic PFT failure. Source: Official ICG selection procedure page.

Event	Standard	Key Rule
1.6 km Run	Complete in 7 minutes	First event — sets the pace for the entire PFT
Squat-Ups (Uthak Baithak)	20 repetitions	Done immediately after run — no break
Push-Ups	10 repetitions	Done immediately after squats — no break

The 7-minute 1.6 km run is approximately a 4:22/km pace — faster than casual jogging but well within reach of a reasonably fit 18-22 year old who has trained specifically for it. The challenge is completing all three events continuously after the run, when your heart rate and fatigue are already elevated. This is a specific adaptation that requires practice, not just general fitness.

Practical PFT preparation strategy: Don't train the run and push-ups separately. Simulate the complete event in your training: run 1.6 km as fast as you can, then immediately drop and do 20 squat-ups, then 10 push-ups. Do this simulation at least 3 times per week in the final 4 weeks before PFT. Your body adapts to performing under cardiovascular fatigue. Candidates who train this way almost never fail PFT; candidates who train events separately often do.

The "Inconsistent Performer" Rule — What Most Guides Miss

The ICG has a specific rule that surprises many candidates at Stage II: if your written exam percentage exceeds your qualifying board (Class 12) percentage by 30% or more, you are flagged as an "Inconsistent Performer" and must take an additional written examination.

Example: A candidate scores 100% in the ICG written exam (110/110). Their Class 12 aggregate is 70%. The difference is 30% — exactly at the threshold. This candidate would face re-assessment. If their Class 12 aggregate were 65% or less, they'd definitely face re-assessment.

What this means for you: Don't try to inflate your written score dramatically above what your board marks can support. More practically — ensure your Class 12 marks are accurately entered in the online application. If there's a genuine discrepancy (e.g., you improved significantly after coaching), you may be asked to prove your capability in the additional test. This test is a safeguard against impersonation — it's designed to verify that the person who wrote the exam is genuinely the applicant.

Stage II — Document Verification: What to Bring

Document verification happens at the same venue as PFT, on the same day. Carry originals and self-attested photocopies of all documents. The date of issue of every document must be on or before the application closing date. Mismatch in name, date of birth, parent's name, subject-wise marks, or category certificate leads to immediate cancellation.

Document	Purpose
Class 10 Marksheet + Certificate	Date of birth verification
Class 12 Marksheet + Certificate	Educational qualification (Maths & Physics marks)
Identity Proof	Aadhaar / PAN / Voter ID / Driving License / Passport
Category Certificate	SC/ST/OBC-NCL/EWS candidates — issued within validity
Domicile Certificate	If claiming height relaxation (NE states, Lakshadweep)
Admit Card (Stage I)	For identity verification at Stage II
Passport-size photographs	Multiple copies — as required

Stage II — Medical Examination: Key Standards

Medical examination is conducted by authorized Defence Medical Officers. The standards are fixed and no waiver is given — not even after a long selection journey. Key parameters:

Parameter	Standard for Navik GD
Height	Minimum 157 cm (152 cm for NE states/Gorkhas, 155 cm for Lakshadweep)
Weight	Proportionate to height and age ±10%
Chest	Well-proportioned, minimum 5 cm expansion
Vision (Without Glasses)	Better eye 6/6, Worse eye 6/9
Vision (With Glasses)	Better eye 6/6, Worse eye 6/6
Hearing	Normal — clean ears before examination
Tattoos	Permitted only on inner forearm (elbow to wrist) and back of hand

Preparation Strategy — Subject-Wise

Mathematics (Both Sections): This is the highest-weightage subject across both sections. For Section I (Class 10): master NCERT chapters on algebra, trigonometry, mensuration, and arithmetic. For Section II (Class 12): prioritize calculus, coordinate geometry, and probability — these have the most questions in competitive exams. Solve at least 200 practice problems in each topic.

Physics (Section II): Stick strictly to NCERT Class 11-12. For Navik GD, the questions are not JEE-hard — they test conceptual understanding, not multi-step derivations. Focus on mechanics (40% of physics questions typically), electricity & magnetism (30%), and modern physics (20%). Solve end-of-chapter exercises from NCERT.

General Awareness: This is a continuous, daily effort. Spend 20 minutes daily reading current affairs. Focus on ICG-specific awareness: India's coastline, ICG stations, maritime operations, recent naval/coast guard exercises. Questions about India's geography and defence typically appear every year.

English: Grammar rules are finite and learnable. Focus on 5 key areas: active/passive voice, direct/indirect speech, verb tense correction, prepositions, and vocabulary (synonyms/antonyms). One month of daily 30-minute grammar practice is sufficient for most candidates.

Reasoning: Practice coding-decoding, number sequences, and spatial reasoning puzzles daily. These questions have fixed patterns — 2 weeks of focused practice is usually enough to get comfortable.

ICG Navik GD vs Other Defence Exams — Difficulty Comparison

Exam	Written Level	Physical Standard	Selection Stages
ICG Navik GD	Class 10 + Class 12 (Physics/Maths)	1.6 km/7 min, 20 squats, 10 push-ups	Written → PFT → Medical → DV
Navy Sailor AA/SSR	Class 12 (PCM heavy)	Similar standards	Written → PFT → Medical → DV
Army Agniveer GD	Class 10 level	1.6 km/5 min 30 sec (harder run)	Rally → Written → Medical
CRPF Constable GD	Class 10 level	1.6 km/5 min 45 sec (men)	Written → PET → Medical → DV
NDA	Class 12 level (PCM) — very hard	Very strict	Written → SSB → Medical

ICG Navik GD's 7-minute 1.6 km run is less demanding than Army Agniveer's 5:30 standard — giving an advantage to candidates who are fit but not at peak athlete level. The written exam, covering Class 12 PCM in Section II, requires more academic preparation than Army GD or CRPF Constable but is significantly easier than NDA.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many questions are there in ICG Navik GD written exam?

The written exam (CBT) has 110 objective-type questions across two sections. Section I covers Science, Mathematics, English, General Awareness, and Reasoning at Class 10 level. Section II covers Physics and Mathematics at Class 11-12 level. The exact time per section is as stated in the official notification for each CGEPT batch.

Q: Is negative marking in ICG Navik GD written exam?

The official ICG syllabus page does not specify negative marking. Candidates should check the admit card and official instructions for the specific CGEPT batch they are appearing in — marking scheme can be mentioned in batch-specific instructions. When in doubt, do not leave questions blank; attempt all.

Q: What happens if I fail PFT but clear the written exam?

PFT is a qualifying stage. If you fail PFT, your written score becomes irrelevant — you are out of the selection process for that batch. You can apply again in the next CGEPT batch if you still meet age criteria. ICG conducts two CGEPT batches per year, giving two opportunities annually.

Q: Can I wear glasses during the written exam and PFT?

Glasses are permitted during the written exam. For PFT, candidates can wear glasses at their own risk — PFT involves vigorous physical activity. The medical standard for vision allows corrected vision of 6/6 in both eyes with glasses. If your uncorrected vision is worse than 6/6 (better eye) and 6/9 (worse eye), you will be marked medically unfit for Navik GD — regardless of what your corrected vision is with glasses.

Q: What is the "inconsistent performer" re-assessment in ICG Navik GD?

If your written exam score percentage exceeds your Class 12 board exam percentage by 30% or more, ICG flags you as an Inconsistent Performer. You must then take an additional written examination to verify your academic capability. This rule exists to prevent impersonation. It does not mean you are disqualified — if you pass the re-assessment, you continue in the selection process.

Q: How long is the training for ICG Navik GD after selection?

Basic training is approximately 22 weeks (about 5-6 months) at INS Chilika (Odisha) or Coast Guard Regional Training Centres. During training, all accommodation, food, and uniform are provided. Full salary begins after training is completed and you are posted to a unit.

Q: Is ICG Navik GD selection region-wise? Does it affect my chances?

Yes, ICG prepares a separate merit list for each region (North-West, North-East, East, West, Andaman & Nicobar). Your rank on the merit list determines selection within your region's vacancies. This means competition varies by region. Typically, regions with larger applicant pools (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan-based candidates applying for Northern regions) are more competitive. Coastal states sometimes have fewer applicants for their region quotas.

Q: What is the age and how many attempts for ICG Navik GD?

Age limit is 18-22 years at the time of enrolment. There is no limit on number of attempts — you can apply to every CGEPT batch as long as you are within the age limit. Since ICG holds two batches per year, a candidate aged 18 in 2026 may have up to 6-8 opportunities before turning 22. Age relaxation of 5 years applies to SC/ST (for reserved posts) and 3 years for OBC-NCL (for reserved posts).