[2][3] A graduate of the Tata Football Academy, Paul started his senior career with Mohun Bagan in 2004.

Following the incident, lack of facilities and medical professionals during the game was highlighted, leading to significant changes in the I-League.

[6] In the middle of the I-League 2009-10 season, Subrata had a trial stint with Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps in the summer of 2010.

Subrata expressed his desire to play abroad in the professional leagues of North America, Europe and Asia.

[8] He made his debut for the club on 7 October 2012 against Air India at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, a match Prayag won 5–1.

[18] After spending the 2016 ISL season with NorthEast United, Paul was loaned to I-League side DSK Shivajians on 15 December 2016.

[19] On 23 July 2017, Pal was selected in the second round of the 2017–18 ISL Players Draft by Jamshedpur for the 2017–18 Indian Super League season.

In the group stages his goalkeeping abilities helped India pull off an unexpected draw at home against the formidable Iraq.

In 2007, he replaced Sandip Nandy as the Indian Senior Team's number 1 for the Nehru Cup in 2007 where he was adjudged the best goalkeeper in a competitive field which included the likes of Mosab Balhous.

Paul was noted for his sharp goalkeeping as part of Baichung Bhutia's successful Indian team of the Nehru Cup 2007.

Coach Bob Houghton said that "Subrata was splendid in goal",[29] while The Hindu wrote: He was part of the victorious India national football team in the AFC Challenge Cup 2008.

His important saves especially in the finals helped India qualify for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup for the first time in 24 years.

The Times of India said that Pal was the best performer among the Indians in the Asian Cup in Doha where they lost all their group matches.

In 2015, Subrata Pal was nominated for the Times of India Sports Awards along with the likes of Sunil Chhetri, Syed Rahim Nabi, Bala Devi and more.