Director General K Natarajan on Sunday took over as the 23rd Chief of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), replacing the first cadre officer to head ICG Rajendra Kumar.
Natarajan is officer from the fifth batch of ICG who joined this elite force in 1984. He has a wide range of Command and Staff appointments both ashore and off shore.
He holds a Masters’ Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University. He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington.
The incumbent ICG DG has specialised in ‘Search and Rescue as well as Maritime Safety and Port Operations’ from the US Coast Guard Reserve Training Centre, Yorktown in Virginia.
During his 35 years of illustrious career, Natarajan has commanded all classes of Indian Coast Guard ships, such as Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV), Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) and Inshore Patrol Vessel (IPV).
He has also been decorated with ‘Tatrakshak Medal’ for his distinguished service to the nation.
