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Pollution Control Vessel - Samudra Pratap

06 Jan 2026 GS 3 Defence
Pollution Control Vessel - Samudra Pratap Click to view full image

Context:

  • Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commissioned the Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Samudra Pratap in Goa

  • First of two indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) for the Coast Guard.

  • Samudra Pratap is the first Indian Coast Guard ship fitted with Dynamic Positioning capability (DP-1) and holds FiFi-2/FFV-2 notation certification.

About ICGS Samudra Pratap

Design and construction

  • Built by Goa Shipyard Limited.

  • India’s first homegrown pollution control vessel.

  • Largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard fleet so far.

  • Over 60% indigenous content.

  • Symbol of India’s maturing defence industrial ecosystem.

  • The ship will be based at ICG’s Kochi base.

Operational capabilities

Core roles

  • Pollution response and oil spill containment

  • Fire-fighting

  • Maritime safety

  • Environmental protection

  • Extended maritime surveillance

  • Coastal patrol and maritime security

Key onboard systems

  • Advanced pollution detection systems

  • Specialised pollution response boats

  • Modern fire-fighting equipment

  • Aviation facilities including helicopter hangar

  • Capable of operations in rough sea conditions

Indigenisation and defence policy

  • Government target:

    • 90% indigenous content in warships.

  • Samudra Pratap integrates multiple roles on a single platform, reflecting:

    • Cost efficiency

    • Operational flexibility

    • Reduced import dependence

Gender inclusion

  • First Indian Coast Guard ship with two women officers onboard.

  • Seen as a step towards:

    • Gender-neutral forces

    • Expanded role of women in frontline maritime operations

Prelims practice MCQs

Q. With reference to the Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pratap, consider the following statements:

  1. It is India’s first indigenously designed pollution control vessel.

  2. It was built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.

  3. It is currently the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard fleet.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Explanation:

  • Statement 1 is correct.

  • Statement 2 is incorrect; it was built by Goa Shipyard Limited.

  • Statement 3 is correct.



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