New Delhi: B. Sairam, currently serving as Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), has been appointed as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Coal India Limited (CIL). His tenure will continue until his superannuation on March 31, 2028, according to official sources.
PESB Recommendation and Appointment Timeline
The appointment follows the recommendation made by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) on September 20, 2025. B. Sairam formally takes over the leadership of Coal India Limited, succeeding P. M. Prasad, who retired from the post on October 31, 2025.
In the interim period after Prasad’s retirement, Sanoj Kumar Jha (IAS: 1997, Sikkim cadre), Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal, was entrusted with the additional charge of CMD, Coal India Limited.
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Seasoned Mining Professional with Over Three Decades of Experience
B. Sairam brings with him over 34 years of extensive experience in the coal and mining sector. Recognized as a seasoned mining professional, his expertise spans mine planning, large-scale operations, logistics management, technology-driven modernization, and sustainable mining practices.
His appointment is expected to strengthen Coal India’s operational efficiency and support the company’s strategic role in ensuring India’s energy security.
Key Roles Held Across Coal India Subsidiaries
Over the course of his distinguished career, B. Sairam has held several senior leadership and technical positions across Coal India and its subsidiaries, including:
- Chairman & Managing Director, Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) – Current role prior to elevation
- Director (Technical), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) – Led technical operations and modernization initiatives
- Executive Director, Coal India Limited – Played a key role at the corporate level
- General Manager / Chief Manager, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) – Headed major projects and workforce management
These roles have equipped him with deep operational insight and strategic leadership experience across multiple coal-producing regions.
Educational Background
B. Sairam holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining from National Institute of Technology (NIT), Raipur. He also completed an Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) in Energy Management from the NSB–NTPC School of Business, further strengthening his leadership capabilities in the energy sector.
Leadership Focus at Coal India
As CMD of Coal India Limited, B. Sairam is expected to focus on enhancing coal production, improving logistics efficiency, strengthening safety and sustainability standards, and supporting the government’s broader energy transition goals while maintaining coal’s critical role in India’s power generation mix.
About Coal India Limited
Coal India Limited (CIL) is the world’s largest coal-producing company and a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. Headquartered in Kolkata, CIL accounts for over 80 percent of India’s coal production and plays a pivotal role in ensuring the country’s energy security by supplying coal to the power, steel, cement, and other key sectors.
