Revisit Coast Guard Rules On Different Retirement Ages : Supreme Court To Centre

The Supreme Court today asked the Union Government to form an expert panel to revisit the service rules of the Indian Coast Guard which prescribe different retirement ages for different ranks.

The Court also stayed the Delhi High Court order which struck down rules mandating that Indian Coast Guard Officers of the rank of Commandant and below would retire at 57, whereas officers above the rank of Commandant would retire at 60.

The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing the Union's challenge to the Delhi High Court decision, which declared as unconstitutional Rule 20(1) and 20(2)1 of the Coast Guard (General) Rules, 1986, which prescribe rank-based superannuation age.

The High Court's division bench of Justices C. Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla observed that the Rules cannot sustain scrutiny of Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution of India

The Rules provide that officers of the rank of Commandant and below would retire at 57, whereas officers above the rank of Commandant would retire at 60.

ASG Archana Pathak Dave, appearing for the Union, stressed that the impugned order would create a 'Pandora's box' and open various petitions challenging retirement age across other defence wings like the CRPF, Army, etc.

The bench issued notice in the matter and stayed the operation of the impugned decision. While doing so, it also directed the Union to constitute an expert committee to review the recruitment and retirement age policies for the ICG personnel.

"We direct the Union to consider constituting an expert committee to revisit the conditions of service of the Coast Guard Personnel, especially with respect to the age of recruitment to the age of retirement, and submit a report to this court."

The matter will now be heard on April 13.

Case Details : UNION OF INDIA vs. CHEELI J RATNAM| SLP(C) No. 007265 - 007267 / 2026