The Indian Coast Guard conducted the 12th National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, SAREX-2026, off Paradip in Odisha on 8 October. The exercise involved the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, shipping and port authorities, fisheries, customs, marine police and the Odisha administration. Thirty-two observers from 30 countries attended.
The theme was using technology to strengthen search-and-rescue preparedness and maritime safety. The exercise simulated complex distress situations requiring coordination across maritime and aeronautical agencies.
Search and rescue is a governance problem as much as an operational one. Response time depends on distress-alert systems, communication standards, asset availability and clear command relationships across agencies.
For civil-services preparation, SAREX is a case study in disaster management, maritime governance and inter-agency coordination. Exercise performance demonstrates preparedness, not the absence of future risk; real incidents still depend on surveillance, weather, communications and rapid mobilisation.
