Director General S Paramesh takes charge as Indian Coast Guard Chief

Director General Paramesh Sivamani has been appointed as the 26th Chief of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). In a career spanning over three and a half decades, the Navigation and Direction specialist has served in various capacities in ashore and afloat appointments. In his journey thus far, he has commanded all major vessels of the Indian Coast Guard including Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel Samar and Offshore Patrol Vessel Vishwast.

The Indian Coast Guard is the Maritime force that is responsible for guarding India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which spans over 2.3 million square kilometres. The ICG also is responsible for maritime search and rescue in an area that's twice as large as India's EEZ. ICG offers timely support and succour to fishermen, mariners, and those distressed at sea. ICG also combats Maritime pollution, smuggling, illegal fishing, trafficking of people, drugs, arms etc. The Indian Coast Guard is working towards achieving a fleet strength of 200 ships and 100 aircraft in the coming years, which is more than what many Navies.

The Flag Officer was at the helm of the Coast Guard Region (East), Coast Guard Region (West), and Coast Guard Commander (Eastern Seaboard), he is an alumnus of the National Defence College, New Delhi and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington.

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S. Paramesh was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in September 2022 and was subsequently posted at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi as Additional Director General Coast Guard (Vice Chief). He was given the additional charge of Director General Coast Guard in Aug 2024, before assuming the charge as Director General Coast Guard.

During the period, many significant operations resulting in the seizure of drugs, narcotic substances and gold worth crores of rupees have been conducted. In terms of humanitarian aid and disaster response, the rescue of mariners was carried out during severe cyclonic storms. The Indian Coast Guard also conducted joint exercises with Foreign Coast Guards, focussed on anti-poaching operations, humanitarian assistance during cyclones, natural calamities and Coastal Security exercises.

The Flag Officer was conferred with Tatrakshak Medal in 2014 and President Tatrakshak Medal in 2019 for his illustrious service.