SAREX-2026 inaugurated by Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth; 24th NMSAR Board meeting reviews maritime search and rescue
On 7 October 2026, Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard's 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (SAREX-2026), to be held off Paradip, Odisha on 8 October with 32 delegates from 30 countries.
Summary
Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth on 7 October 2026 inaugurated SAREX-2026, the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise organised by the Indian Coast Guard, with the sea demonstration set off Paradip, Odisha on 8 October 2026 and 32 delegates from 30 friendly foreign countries taking part as observers. The exercise simulates a mass rescue operation, including the ditching of a passenger aircraft with 228 persons on board, and deploys 15 Coast Guard ships, Dornier aircraft, helicopters, IAF C-130J and Mi-17 aircraft and Navy ships. Earlier the same day, the 24th National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting, chaired by Indian Coast Guard Director General Paramesh Sivamani, reviewed preparedness across the 4.6 million sq km Indian Search and Rescue Region and presented the National Maritime Search & Rescue Awards 2026. The minister also described the full operational capability of India's MEOSAR ground terminal (MEOLUT) as a significant advance and congratulated ISRO.
Key facts
- Exercise
- SAREX-2026 (12th National Maritime Search & Rescue Exercise)
- Organiser
- Indian Coast Guard
- Inaugurated by
- Raksha Rajya Mantri Sanjay Seth, 7 October 2026
- Sea demo
- Off Paradip, Odisha, 8 October 2026
- Foreign participation
- 32 delegates/observers from 30 countries
- Scenario
- Mass rescue: passenger aircraft ditching with 228 persons, impact with container vessel MV Zumba
- Assets
- 15 ICG ships, 2 Dorniers, 3 ALH, Chetak, IAF C-130J & Mi-17, 2 Navy ships
- Board meeting
- 24th NMSAR Board, chaired by DG ICG Paramesh Sivamani (at Bhubaneswar)
- Indian SAR Region
- 4.6 million sq km
- Satellite SAR
- Full operational capability of MEOLUT (LEOSAR → GEOSAR → MEOSAR)
- ICG motto
- Vayam Rakshamah (We Protect)
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The sea demonstration of SAREX-2026, the Indian Coast Guard's national search and rescue exercise, was held off which port?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Paradip
SAREX-2026, inaugurated in October 2026, is which edition of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 12th
What is the motto of the Indian Coast Guard, recalled by the Raksha Rajya Mantri at SAREX-2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Vayam Rakshamah