Donny Michael Elevated As Coast Guard's Additional Director General, To Lead Eastern Seaboard Command

Donny Michael has been promoted to Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard. With over three decades of experience, Michael has held various leadership roles.

The Government of India has approved the elevation of Inspector General Donny Michael, the current Coast Guard Regional Commander East, to the position of Additional Director General, effective Sunday (September 29). Following his promotion, Michael will assume charge as the Coast Guard Commander of the Eastern Seaboard at Visakhapatnam, according to news agency ANI.

Donny Michael's Service In Indian Coast Guard Spans 3 Decades

Inspector General Michael, who took over as Commander of the Coast Guard Region (East) on 22 November 2023, has served the Indian Coast Guard since July 1990. Over his illustrious career spanning more than three decades, he has commanded various classes of Coast Guard ships, including Inshore Patrol Vessels, Fast Patrol Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels, Pollution Control Vessels (PCV), and Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels, as per Coast Guard's website.

In addition to his seagoing roles, Michael has held several key staff appointments. He has served as the Chief Staff Officer (Operations) at Headquarters for both the Coast Guard Region (East) and the Coast Guard Region (West), and as the Commanding Officer of notable ships like ICGS Sarang and ICGS Samudra Prahari. His leadership in operations, administration, and human resources has been widely recognised, particularly during his tenure as Director of Fisheries & Environment, where he significantly contributed to operational effectiveness and administrative consolidation.

Michael is a specialist in Navigation and Direction and an alumnus of the World Maritime University (WMU) in Sweden. He also holds an LLB degree from Delhi University's Campus Law Centre (CLC) and has been the recipient of several commendations, including the Director General Indian Coast Guard Commendation and the Commander Coast Guard Region & Nicobar Commendation. In 2014, he was awarded the prestigious Tatrakshak Medal (Gallantry) by the President of India.

On being elevated to the flag rank in December 2019, Michael took charge as the Deputy Director General (HRD) and later as the Deputy Director General (CGSB) at Coast Guard Headquarters. 

Hailing from Chennai, Inspector General Donny Michael is the father of a son, Prahalad Donny. He was married to the late Geetha Narayanan.