The Indian Navy is leading the fifth edition of 'Sea Vigil', a nationwide coastal defence exercise running from 11 to 19 November 2026, covering India's entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone.
The exercise has two parts: the Coastal Defence and Security Readiness Evaluation from 11 to 17 November, followed by the Sea Phase on 18 and 19 November.
Why it exists
Sea Vigil was conceived in 2018 to test the maritime-security measures put in place after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. This edition involves all coastal States and Union Territories, plus fishing and coastal communities.
Who is taking part
Assets of the Navy, Indian Coast Guard, Coastal Security Police, Customs and other maritime agencies will participate. The Ministries of Defence; Home Affairs; Ports, Shipping and Waterways; Petroleum and Natural Gas; and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying are facilitating it, with other central and coastal-state agencies.
What it feeds into
Sea Vigil leads up to the Navy's biennial Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX). Together, the Navy says, the two cover maritime security from coastal defence to high-seas operations. Sea Vigil-26 is meant to give a "realistic assessment" of national preparedness for maritime security and coastal defence.
Photos
Source: official release by the Ministry of Defence, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (11 NOV 2026 5:17PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: INDIAN NAVY TO COORDINATE FIFTH EDITION OF PAN-INDIA COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE 'SEA VIGIL-26'.
How we verified this
VerifiedEvery fact, figure and quotation is taken from the official PIB release (Release ID 2335093) issued by the Ministry of Defence on 11 NOV 2026 5:17PM by PIB Delhi; checked against the source on publication. Story written by BDT from that release; no outside facts added.
Sources
- 1.INDIAN NAVY TO COORDINATE FIFTH EDITION OF PAN-INDIA COASTAL DEFENCE EXERCISE 'SEA VIGIL-26' — Press Information Bureau, Government of India
