Virender Singh Pathania

Virender Singh Pathania, PVSM, PTM, TM, is a retired Indian Coast Guard officer. He served as the 24th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. He assumed the office on 31 December 2021 upon superannuation of Director General Krishnaswamy Natarajan. He is the first helicopter pilot to hold this position. Previously he served as Additional Director General of Indian Coast Guard and Coast Guard Commander of Western Seaboard.

Career

In the course of a decorated career, VS Pathania commanded Indian Coast Guard vessels of all classes and was awarded President’s Tatrakshak Medal for Distinguished service, Tatrakshak Medal for Gallantry, and Director General's Commendation.

Pathania's tenure as Director General witnessed the milestone of having attained complete indigenization and a large-scale induction and operationalization of drones in the Indian Coast Guard.