[1][10] The MARCOS regularly undertake specialised maritime operations in Jammu and Kashmir through the Jhelum River and Wular Lake, a 65 square kilometres (16,000 acres) freshwater lake, and conduct counter-insurgency operations in the region.

[11][9] Some MARCOS units are a part of the tri-services Armed Forces Special Operations Division.

The combat divers failed to achieve their desired outcomes during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 as they were not adequately trained for sabotage missions.

[13][14] The combat divers had also taught basic underwater demolition training to insurgents from Bangladesh, who were then sent on missions during the war but did not cause any substantial damage to Pakistani military installations.

In February 1987, the Indian Marine Special Force (IMSF) officially came into existence and the three officers were its first members.

[50] The MCF currently operates out of the naval bases at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Kochi and Port Blair.

American and British special forces assisted in setting up the initial training program, which now consists of a seven and a half to eight months course for new recruits.

Indian Navy personnel who want to join MARCOS must undergo a three-day physical fitness and aptitude test.

[15] A notably rigorous training program is the "death crawl"—an 800-metre (2,600 ft) struggle through thigh-high mud while loaded with 25 kg (55 lb) of gear and after a 2.5-kilometre (1.6-mile) obstacle course that most soldiers would fail.

[58] Once para-dropped from the aircraft, it allows for the commandos to assemble inflatable motorised boats within ten minutes and quickly reach ships in distress.

[59] The MARCOS are also preparing for urban warfare and have begun practicing on 3D virtual models of offshore installations to ensure a swift response during a terrorist attack.

The marine commandos undergo regular training sessions in this computer-generated programme to be well-prepared for a strike similar to the 26/11 attack.

[54][55] To strengthen the capabilities of MARCOS to carry out special operations, the Indian Navy will procure an advanced Integrated Combat System (ICS) that will ensure an effective command, control and information-sharing structure to enhance the MARCOS' capabilities while engaging targets.

[61] The ICS will provide enhanced capabilities such as tactical awareness and the ability to fight in hostile environments, and can enable Group Commanders to remotely monitor and control operations.

Initiating the procurement process through a Request for Information (RFI), Navy's Directorate of Special Operations and Diving has sought details from global vendors about the ICS.

The group-level gear requirements include command and control and surveillance systems, and high-speed communication equipment.

[61] In 2013, Visakhapatnam-based Hindustan Shipyard won the contract for building four 500-tonne mini-submarines, which were designed by Larsen & Toubro.