Rakesh Pal
New Delhi: Rakesh Pal, who holds the recognition of being the First Gunner of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), has been appointed ICG’s 25th Director General, the Defence Ministry stated here today.
Prior to this, he was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in February 2022 and was posted at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. He was given the additional charge of Director General Coast Guard in February 2023. During the period, many significant operations and exercises were accomplished that includes the seizure of drugs and narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees, rescue of mariners during severe cyclonic storms, joint exercises with the Foreign Coast Guards, anti-poaching operations, humanitarian assistance during cyclones/ naturals calamities and Coastal Security exercises.
In his distinguished career spanning over 34 years, the flag officer held several key appointments, prominent among them are Commander of Coast Guard Region (North West), Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans), and Additional Director General of Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
Besides, he has held various prestigious staff assignments such as Director (Infra and Works) and Principal Director (Administration) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
Pal has vast sea experience and he has commanded all classes of ICG ships namely; ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai, and ICGS C-03. The Officer has also commanded two Coast Guard bases of the forward area in Gujarat – Okha and Vadinar.
An alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy, Pal joined Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. He has undergone professional specialisation in Gunnery and Weapons Systems at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi, and an Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course from the United Kingdom.
He was also conferred with Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his illustrious service.
– global bihari bureau
