Hira Lal Atal (26 January 1905 – 23 January 1985) was the first Cadet Captain, or Head Boy, of the famous Rashtriya Indian Military College, which was at that time known as the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College, Dehradun. The year was 1922 and the RIMC had just been established in an attempt to nurture native Indians to help them take command of the British Indian Army. He was at the Rawlinson Section, which later came to be known as Pratap Section after 1947. Attended Staff College, Quetta 1940-41 and then appointed to the Staff in the period 1941-42. Promoted Major 29 January 1942