Rakesh Pal

Rakesh Pal, AVSM, PTM, TM (1965 – 18 August 2024) was a flag officer of the Indian Coast Guard. He served as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard.

Director General Rakesh Pal AVSM, PTM, TM
Pal in 2023
Born	1965 (1965) Uttar Pradesh, India
Died	18 August 2024 (aged 58) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Allegiance	India
Branch	Indian Coast Guard
Years of service	1989 – 2024
Rank	Director General
Commands	Coast Guard Region (Northwest) Coast Guard Station Okha Coast Guard Station Vadinar ICGS Samarth ICGS Vijit ICGS Sucheta Kripalani ICGS Ahalyabai ICGS C-03
Awards	Ati Vishisht Seva Medal President's Tatrakshak Medal Tatrakshak Medal

Early life and education

Pal hailed from Uttar Pradesh. After his schooling, he attended the Indian Naval Academy and joined the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in January 1989.^[1][2]

Career

Pal specialised in gunnery and weapons systems. He attended the gunnery school of the Indian Navy, INS Dronacharya in Kochi and was appointed First Gunner of the ICG.^[3][4]

Pal commanded all classes of ship in the Coast Guard. He commanded the interceptor boat ICGS C-03, the inshore patrol vessel ICGS Ahalyabai, and the fast patrol vessel ICGS ICGS Sucheta Kriplani. He also commanded the Vishwast-class offshore patrol vessel ICGS Vijit and the lead ship of the advance offshore patrol vessels class, ICGS Samarth. Pal also commanded Coast Guard Station Okha and Coast Guard Station Vadinar.^[3]

Pal had served both as the director of infrastructure and works, and as the principal director for administration at the Coast Guard headquarters in New Delhi.^[5]

Flag rank

On elevation to the flag rank, Pal was appointed Commander of the Coast Guard Northwest Region in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. As the region commander with rank of Inspector General, he was responsible for ICG's mandated charter including maritime surveillance of Gujarat, Daman, and Diu, coordination of coastal security with state governments and Maritime Search and Rescue.^[6] He later served as Deputy Director General for Policy and Plans at Coast Guard headquarters. In February 2022, he was promoted to a three-star rank and appointed Additional Director General Coast Guard, and in February 2023, he became Director General. ^[3]

Personal life and death

Pal was married to Dipa Pal, with whom he had two daughters, Snehal and Tarushi. He loved music and sports.^[7] On August 18, 2024, Pal died in harness due to a heart attack in Chennai, at the age of 58. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. ^[8]

Awards and decorations

Pal was awarded the Tatrakshak Medal in 2013 and the President's Tatrakshak Medal in 2018.^[9] On 26 January 2024, he was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service of an exceptional order.^[10]

References

1. "Rakesh Pal appointed as 25th Director General of Indian Coast Guard". India Today. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
2. "Rakesh Pal Takes Over As 25th DG Of Indian Coast Guard, Says Anti-Drug Operations Is Main Focus". news.abplive.com. 20 July 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
3. "DG Rakesh Pal appointed as 25th Director General of Indian Coast Guard". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
4. "Rakesh Pal appointed as 25th Director General of Indian Coast Guard". The Economic Times. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
5. "Flag officer Rakesh Pal appointed as 25th Director General of Indian Coast Guard - ET Government". ETGovernment.com. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
6. "CG Organisation". indiancoastguard.gov.in. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
7. "News 18".
8. "Coast Guard DG Rakesh Pal passes away due to heart attack in Chennai". The Economic Times. 2024-08-18. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
9. "Director General Rakesh Pal, PTM, TM DGICG". indiancoastguard.gov.in. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
10. "AVSM Medal". indiancoastguard.gov.in. Retrieved 21 August 2024.

Military offices
Preceded by Virender Singh Pathania	Director General of the Indian Coast Guard 2023–2024	Succeeded by Paramesh Sivamani