Director General of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Rakesh Pal, passed away in Chennai on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest. According to officials, Pal began feeling unwell earlier in the day and was rushed to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGH) after complaining of discomfort. He was set to attend an ICG event alongside Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who later arrived at the hospital to pay his last respects.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Deeply saddened at the untimely demise of Shri Rakesh Pal, DG, Indian Coast Guard in Chennai today. He was an able and committed officer under whose leadership ICG was making big strides in strengthening India’s maritime security. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.”
Rakesh Pal’s illustrious career began when he joined the Indian Coast Guard in January 1989 after graduating from the Indian Naval Academy. Over his 34 years of service, Pal held various crucial positions before being appointed as the 25th Director General of the ICG in July 2023
Renowned for his expertise in Gunnery and Weapons Systems, Rakesh Pal was the first Indian Coast Guard (ICG) officer to specialize as a gunner, marking a pivotal moment in his illustrious career. His specialized skills laid the foundation for a series of prestigious appointments, both at sea and ashore. Among his significant leadership roles, Pal commanded the Coast Guard Region (North West) in Gandhinagar and held key positions at the ICG headquarters in New Delhi, such as Deputy Director General (Policy & Plans) and Additional Director General.
Pal’s extensive maritime experience saw him commanding all classes of ICG vessels, including the ICGS Samarth, ICGS Vijit, and ICGS Sucheta Kriplani, among others. Under his strategic leadership, the ICG conducted numerous high-profile operations, including major drug busts and gold seizures worth crores of rupees.
In recognition of his outstanding service, Pal was honored with several prestigious awards, including the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), the President’s Tatrakshak Medal (PTM), and the Tatrakshak Medal (TM).
Rakesh Pal is survived by his wife, Dipa Pal, and their two daughters, Snehal and Tarushi
