The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) recently inducted its first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) named Samudra Pratap. The formal induction ceremony took place on December 23, 2025, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which constructed the ship under the government’s coastal defence enhancement programme. This milestone marks a significant step in India’s ability to combat maritime pollution and enhance marine environmental security within its waters and beyond.
Measuring 114.5 metres in length, 16.5 metres in breadth, and displacing around 4,170 tonnes, Samudra Pratap is currently the largest vessel in the ICG fleet. This vessel stands out for its high indigenous content (over 60%), reflecting the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India objectives. GSL integrated advanced control and monitoring technologies that allow it to tackle various pollution scenarios, including oil spills, hazardous discharges, and marine contaminants.
Samudra Pratap comes equipped with specialised pollution response systems such as oil spill detection devices, onboard pollution laboratories, and separation equipment to extract viscous oils from contaminated water. It also features dynamic positioning capabilities (DP-I), which enable precise operations in variable sea conditions. These systems greatly enhance the ICG’s ability to conduct high-precision pollution recovery missions within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and adjoining waters.
Beyond its environmental mission, the vessel boasts strong security and enforcement capabilities. It is outfitted with a 30mm CRN-91 gun, two 12.7mm stabilised remote-controlled guns, and an automated firefighting system, enabling versatile operational roles like maritime law enforcement, search and rescue (SAR) support, and emergency response operations. These technologies ensure Samudra Pratap can contribute effectively to broader coastal security and safety objectives.
The addition of Samudra Pratap reinforces India’s defence industrial base by showcasing domestic capabilities in building complex specialised vessels. Constructed by Goa Shipyard Limited, it highlights the growing role of Indian public sector undertakings in producing state-of-the-art maritime platforms — a key goal of the Make in India initiative. This achievement will also encourage further investment and innovation within the shipbuilding sector.
For aspirants preparing for competitive exams like UPSC (IAS/IPS), State PSCs, Banking, Railways, or Defence Services, this news provides insight into India’s evolving maritime security infrastructure and environmental protection initiatives. Environmental security is a key topic in General Studies Paper-III (Environment & Ecology) and Defence and Security sections of exams. Knowledge about specialised vessels like Samudra Pratap helps aspirants answer questions related to marine pollution control, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), and India’s strategies for sustainable Blue Economy.
Understanding the vessel’s link with Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India helps students appreciate how indigenous development is tied to national policies. These themes are frequently asked in essay papers, current affairs sections, and interview stages as examples of self-reliant defence production and policy implementation.
Samudra Pratap’s induction also reflects India’s compliance with international maritime conventions, such as MARPOL (Marine Pollution Prevention) obligations. Such developments are relevant to questions on international relations, global environmental commitments, and India’s diplomatic and strategic roles in regional waters — all important across various government exams.
Since its establishment in 1978, the Indian Coast Guard has been tasked with safeguarding India’s maritime interests, including environmental protection in territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Over the decades, ICG has expanded its operational scope, tackling issues from marine crimes to pollution response. Earlier assets for pollution response were improvised or adapted from patrol vessels, lacking specialised systems for advanced contamination control.
As India’s maritime trade and oil imports increased, incidences of oil spills and marine pollution risks also grew. This led to a strategic requirement for vessels dedicated to handling environmental disasters at sea. The design and construction of Samudra Pratap under a project initiated in 2022 by Goa Shipyard Limited addressed this requirement, making it the first purpose-built pollution control vessel in India.
1. What is Samudra Pratap?
Samudra Pratap is the first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel (PCV) inducted into the Indian Coast Guard fleet to tackle maritime pollution and enhance environmental security.
2. When and where was Samudra Pratap inducted?
The vessel was formally inducted on December 23, 2025, at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), which is responsible for its design and construction.
3. What are the main functions of Samudra Pratap?
Its primary role is marine pollution control, including oil spill recovery, hazardous discharge handling, and environmental monitoring. It also supports maritime law enforcement, search and rescue (SAR), and firefighting operations.
4. How long and heavy is Samudra Pratap?
The vessel measures 114.5 metres in length, 16.5 metres in breadth, and has a displacement of 4,170 tonnes, making it the largest vessel in the ICG fleet.
5. What are the key technological features of the vessel?
Samudra Pratap includes dynamic positioning systems, oil spill detection, onboard pollution laboratories, and oil separation equipment, along with advanced firefighting and security systems.
6. How does Samudra Pratap contribute to India’s Make in India initiative?
Over 60% of the vessel is indigenously built, showcasing India’s domestic capabilities in advanced shipbuilding and aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat policies.
7. Why is Samudra Pratap important for maritime security?
Apart from pollution control, it strengthens coastal security and maritime law enforcement, enhancing India’s strategic and operational readiness in its territorial waters.
8. Which organization constructed Samudra Pratap?
The vessel was designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a public sector shipbuilding company under the Ministry of Defence.
9. What international obligations does the vessel help India fulfill?
It assists India in adhering to MARPOL and other international maritime environmental conventions, ensuring responsible management of oceanic pollution.
10. What makes Samudra Pratap unique in the Indian Coast Guard fleet?
It is the first purpose-built pollution control vessel in India, equipped with specialized pollution response systems, making it a significant milestone in maritime environmental protection.
V.O. Chidambaranar Port IGBC Platinum certification and BEE Shunya recognition highlight India’s first major port…
Joe Simon Kannada filmmaker news: Veteran Sandalwood director Joe Simon passed away during a KFCC…
RBI M&A financing limit 2026 allows banks to fund up to 20% of Tier‑1 capital…
Private ISS mission NASA agreement signed with Vast Space to launch astronauts via SpaceX Dragon…
RBI proposes tighter lending norms for REITs and InvITs to reduce credit risk and ensure…
RBI approves Sanjay Agarwal’s 3-year extension as MD & CEO of AU Small Finance Bank.…