Rakesh Pal has been appointed as the 25th Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). He is an alumnus of the Indian Naval Academy and joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989. The Ministry of Defence states that he underwent professional specialisation in Gunnery and Weapons Systems at Indian Naval School Dronacharya, Kochi, and completed an Electro-Optics Fire Control Solution course in the United Kingdom.
Rakesh Pal holds the distinction of being the First Gunner of ICG. He received the Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and the President Tatrakshak Medal in 2018 for his outstanding service.
Rakesh Pal was promoted to the rank of Additional Director General in February 2022 and was stationed at the Coast Guard Headquarters in 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 and naturals calamities and Coastal Security exercises.
Throughout his distinguished 34-year career, Rakesh Pal has held numerous significant positions. Notably, he served as Commander Coast Guard Region (North West) in Gandhinagar, Deputy Director General (Policy & Plans), and Additional Director General Coast Guard at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
Additionally, he has been entrusted with prestigious staff roles such as Director (Infra and Works) and Principal Director (Administration) at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi.
Rakesh Pal possesses extensive sea experience and has commanded various classes of ICG ships, including ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, ICGS Ahalyabai, and ICGS C-03. Moreover, he has successfully commanded two Coast Guard bases in Gujarat’s forward area, namely Okha and Vadinar, as confirmed by the official statement.
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