IG Anil Kumar Harbola joined Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in Jan 1989 as a Direct Entry Officer. A ‘silver medallist’ in his ‘Post Graduation’ in physics from Kumaun University, Naintial, he also holds ‘Master's Degree’ in Management Studies from Osmania University, that in ‘Security and Strategic Studies’ from Madras University and PG Diploma in Educational Administration & Supervision from Annamalai University. Having completed his ab intio military training from Indian Naval Academy, he later specialised in ‘Naval Communication’. He has served approximately 16 years in sea going appointments in almost all the types of ships held with ICG.

The Flag Officer has commanded four Coast Guard Ships namely Sangram, Varad, Tarabai and Hovercraft H-182. In 1998, the officer while commanding Coast Guard Ship Tarabai, apprehended hijacked Japanese merchant vessel ‘Alondra Rainbow’ along with hijackers after a chase for almost 800 kms in Arabian sea, a maritime record, sort of. He was awarded ‘Tatrakshak Medal’ (TM) for 'Gallantry’ by the Hon'ble President of India for the same. He has also been commended by the Director General, Indian Coast Guard (DGICG).

His important appointments ashore include Coast Guard Commander for Maharashtra and that for Andhra Pradesh, Chief of Staff at CG Region (A&N) at Port Blair, Chief Staff Officer (Pers & Adm) at Regional Headquarters Mumbai, Joint Directors of Communication and Recruitment at Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi. He has also served as Coast Guard Advisor (CGA) to the DGICG. On elevation to his flag rank, he was appointed Chief of Staff at the Headquarters, Coast Guard Eastern Seaboard at Visakhapatnam and thereafter Commander, Coast Guard Region, North East at Kolkata, prior assuming present assignment at Gandhinagar. The Flag Officer is responsible to execute ICG’s mandated charter including maritime surveillance of Gujarat, Daman & Diu, coordination towards coastal security with State Govts. and Maritime Search and Rescue (MSAR).

The Officer is an alumnus of US Coast Guard's International Maritime Officers School, York Town, Virginia, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and that of National Defence College, New Delhi. He is also a qualified Interviewing Officer (IO) from Defence Institute of Psychological Research (DIPR), New Delhi.

A native of Dwarahat in Uttarakhand, he is married to Kavita, the couple has two daughters.