Pathak, a 1979-batch officer of Assam-Meghalaya cadre, is presently the second in-command in the forces' hierarchy and was posted as Special DG at the BSF Headquarters here.
The Home Ministry today issued an order stating Pathak "will look after the duties of Director General BSF with effect from March 1, 2014 and till an officer is appointed to the post on regular basis, or until further orders."
Incumbent DG Joshi, a 1976-batch IPS officer of Uttarakhand cadre, will retire tomorrow after serving in the force for over an year since he was appointed to the top post in December 2012.
Sources said a panel of three senior Indian Police Service officers has been created for being appointed as BSF DG and once the Home Ministry approves the name it will go to the Appointments Committee of Cabinet (ACC) for final approval.
