New Delhi : The Supreme Court of India has asked the Indian government to move away from colonial-era service norms and reconsider the retirement age and service conditions of officers in the Indian Coast Guard, observing that their evolving role is no longer reflected in existing regulations.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing an appeal filed by the Union government against a 2024 ruling of the Delhi High Court, which had ordered a uniform retirement age of 60 years for all Coast Guard officers.
The apex court stayed the High Courtโs order for now but strongly indicated that the Centre should reassess existing rules. The case challenges provisions of the Coast Guard Rules, 1986, under which officers up to the rank of Commandant retire at 57, while senior officers retire at 60.
The bench remarked that regulations rooted in British-era frameworks can no longer govern a modern, highly specialized maritime force. It noted that the role of the Coast Guard todayโranging from maritime security and search-and-rescue operations to environmental protectionโhas expanded far beyond what was originally envisaged decades ago.
โExperience is crucial in a sophisticated and highly skilled force,โ the court observed, cautioning the government against adopting an approach that is โtoo static or conservativeโ while framing service conditions.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Archana Pathak Dave argued on behalf of the Centre that Coast Guard duties are physically demanding and often comparable to naval operations at sea, requiring a relatively younger workforce. The government also contended that the High Court erred in comparing the Coast Guard with other central armed police forces such as the ITBP, CRPF, CISF, and SSB, as the Coast Guard functions under the Ministry of Defence and follows a distinct service structure.
In its interim order, passed on Friday, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to consider forming an expert committee to comprehensively review recruitment age, retirement age, and service conditions of Coast Guard personnel. The court said the committeeโs report should be submitted for judicial consideration.
The bench issued notice in the matter, returnable on April 13, 2026, and ordered that the Delhi High Court judgment remain stayed until further hearings.
The High Court had earlier struck down the differential retirement ages, ruling that all Indian Coast Guard officers should retire uniformly at 60. The Supreme Courtโs observations now signal a broader rethinking of how India structures careers in one of its most technically demanding maritime forces.
