India, July 29 -- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday here unveiled two significant policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) aimed at promoting gender parity in the induction and service conditions of officers, and streamlining the administrative procedures for granting ex gratia to the families of personnel reported missing at sea while on duty.

The first policy directive establishes a comprehensive, women-centric approach by ushering in a gender-neutral framework for the induction of officers into the ICG.

The highlights of the policy include induction of women candidates into both Short Service Appointments (SSA) and Permanent Appointments (PA) at par with their male counterparts. SSA has also been opened for male candid...