New Delhi: In an extraordinary show of discipline, resilience, and pride, two Indian Administrative Service officers, Deepak Babulal Karwa, IAS (Haryana Cadre), and Abhinav Gopal, IAS (UP Cadre, 2020 Batch), have become the first serving IAS officers to successfully complete a relay swim across the English Channel. Their swims have been officially certified by the Channel Swimming Association (CSA).
Deepak Karwa completed his relay on 16 June 2025, finishing the Channel crossing in 13 hours and 39 minutes. Abhinav Gopal followed on 18 June 2025, completing the feat in 11 hours and 19 minutes, establishing a new national relay record for India. Both were part of 6-member relay teams, rotating every hour as per CSA rules.
The swim tested every aspect of their endurance. Water temperatures ranged between 14 °C and 18 °C, making for extremely cold and taxing conditions. Strong tidal currents and waves extended the expected 32 km crossing to a gruelling 47 km. The sea was filled with jellyfish, and swimmers had to navigate heavy swells and perpendicular currents, requiring constant adaptation and technique.
Supervised by the Channel Swimming Association, established in 1927 to regulate English Channel swims, both relays were monitored by official CSA observers and licensed pilot vessels to ensure safety and compliance.
The relay teams were named “Pride of India A” and “Pride of India B” and included swimmers from diverse backgrounds, professional athletes, para-athletes, students, police officers, and civil servants. The teams were led by Arjuna Awardee and para-sport icon Prasanta Karmakar, and included swimmers such as Manav Rajesh More, Aman Shanbag, Rajbir, Ganesh Balaga, Murigeppa Channannavar, Robin Baldeo, Aayushi Akhade, Ayush Tawade, Shashruti Nakade, and Ishant Singh.
These swims follow the group’s earlier April relay across the Palk Strait between Sri Lanka and India, a 28 km swim completed in 8.5 hours, further demonstrating their commitment to pushing boundaries.
The dual relays across one of the world’s most difficult maritime routes mark a milestone in the history of India’s civil services. The feat goes beyond personal achievement, symbolising unity, physical courage, and service that extends outside official roles.
As Prasanta Karmakar noted, “Life’s supreme priority is humanity… together, we can overcome even the toughest tides.”
Swimmers recalled battling through the cold, fatigue, and seasickness. Their perseverance and camaraderie enabled them to complete the relay, inspiring civil servants and open-water athletes alike.
BI Bureau
