Rejendra Singh is first Coast Guard official to be made DG

In a break from tradition, Rejendra Singh was on Wednesday appointed as Director General of Indian Coast Guard, the first officer from the maritime security agency to be elevated to the top post.

As per the tradition, a Naval officer headed the Coast Guard.

The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has approved the appointment of Singh as DG, an order issued by Department of Personnel and Training said. He is currently Additional Director General of the Coast Guard. Singh, who joined the organisation in 1980, has been appointed in place of Vice Admiral H C S Bisht. Bisht is set to take over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, the order said.

The DG designate has commanded each class of Coast Guard Ship in service, which includes the Interceptor Boat, Inshore Patrol Vessel, Fast Patrol Vessel, Offshore Patrol Vessel and Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel.

“In the early 1980s, when smuggling was at its zenith in Indian waters, he was actively involved in apprehending numerous maritime economic offenders whose activities were inimical to national interests,” says Singh’s biodata on the Coast Guard’s website.