UPSC Current Affairs
ICGS AKSHAR
On October 4, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar—the second vessel in the Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) series—was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry. The vessel, indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), is a significant milestone under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India ABOUT ICGS AKSHAR Feature Specification Name ICGS Akshar (“Akshar” means imperishable) Class Adamya-class… 320 tons Speed Max speed of 27 knots Endurance 1,500 nautical miles at economical speed Propulsion Two 3,000 KW diesel engines Propellers Two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) Weaponry - 30?mm CRN 91 Gun Two 12.7?mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG)…
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On October 4, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar—the second vessel in the Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) series—was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry. The vessel, indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), is a significant milestone under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India ABOUT ICGS AKSHAR Feature Specification Name ICGS Akshar (“Akshar” means imperishable) Class Adamya-class… 320 tons Speed Max speed of 27 knots Endurance 1,500 nautical miles at economical speed Propulsion Two 3,000 KW diesel engines Propellers Two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) Weaponry - 30?mm CRN 91 Gun Two 12.7?mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG)…
WHY IN NEWS?
- On October 4, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar—the second vessel in the Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) series—was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry.
- The vessel, indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), is a significant milestone under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
ABOUT ICGS AKSHAR
| Feature |
Specification |
| Name |
ICGS Akshar (“Akshar” means imperishable) |
| Class |
Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (2nd in the series of 8) |
| Builder |
Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) |
| Length |
51 metres |
| Displacement |
Approx. 320 tons |
| Speed |
Max speed of 27 knots |
| Endurance |
1,500 nautical miles at economical speed |
| Propulsion |
Two 3,000 KW diesel engines |
| Propellers |
Two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) |
| Weaponry |
- 30?mm CRN 91 Gun |
- Two 12.7?mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG)
- Fire-control systems
Advanced Indigenous Systems Onboard:
- Integrated Bridge System (IBS)
- Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS)
- Automated Power Management System (APMS)
? All these enhance
automation,
situational awareness, and
mission readiness
PRIMARY ROLE
- Surveillance and patrolling of India’s coastal and exclusive economic zones (EEZ).
- Enforcing maritime laws, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and search and rescue (SAR).
- Supports coastal security under Commander, Coast Guard Region (East).
SIGNIFICANCE
1. Boost to Maritime Security:
- Enhances India’s ability to monitor and respond to threats along the Eastern Seaboard.
- Strengthens ICG’s capability in maritime domain awareness (MDA).
2. Indigenisation & Aatmanirbhar Bharat:
- Over 60% indigenous content, including critical propulsion and weapon systems.
- Aligns with Government’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
3. Strategic Coastal Deployment:
- Stationing at Karaikal (Puducherry) boosts strategic maritime presence in Bay of Bengal and Eastern Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
BACKGROUND
- A class of 8 high-speed, agile vessels built by GSL.
- Designed for multi-role operations including:
- Surveillance
- Interdiction
- SAR
- Pollution response
- Prelims: Key facts, institutions, locations and terminology in the article.
- Mains: Connect the topic with Economy, Defence, Polity & Governance.
- Revision: Use the article headings to prepare concise notes and answer-writing points.
Test your understanding
Questions from this article
Prelims practiceWith reference to ICGS AKSHAR, consider the following statements:
- On October 4, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar—the second vessel in the Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) series—was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry.
- The vessel, indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), is a significant milestone under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India
- Two 12.7?mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG)
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
View answer
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3. All three statements are drawn from the article.
Mains practiceDiscuss the background, key issues and significance of ICGS AKSHAR for India.
Answer in 250 words.
View answer approach
- WHY IN NEWS?
- ABOUT ICGS AKSHAR
- Advanced Indigenous Systems Onboard:
- PRIMARY ROLE
- SIGNIFICANCE
Frequently asked questionsFrequently asked questions
Why is Icgs Akshar in the news?
On October 4, 2025, the Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Akshar—the second vessel in the Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) series—was commissioned at Karaikal, Puducherry. The vessel, indigenously designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), is a significant milestone under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India ABOUT ICGS AKSHAR Feature Specification Name ICGS Akshar (“Akshar” means imperishable) Class Adamya-class…
What are the key facts about Icgs Akshar?
320 tons Speed Max speed of 27 knots Endurance 1,500 nautical miles at economical speed Propulsion Two 3,000 KW diesel engines Propellers Two Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) Weaponry - 30?mm CRN 91 Gun Two 12.7?mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG)… All these enhance automation, situational awareness, and mission readiness PRIMARY ROLE Surveillance and patrolling of India’s coastal and exclusive economic zones (EEZ). Enforcing maritime laws, anti-smuggling, anti-piracy, and search and rescue (SAR).
Why is Icgs Akshar important for UPSC preparation?
The topic connects current developments with Economy, Defence, Polity & Governance and is relevant for both objective revision and analytical answer writing.