NMDC Limited, India’s leading iron ore producer and a Navratna Public Sector Undertaking, has announced the appointment of Bharat Baburao Patil and Mahendra Singh Rao as Non-Official Independent Directors on its Board. Their appointments are effective from May 15, 2025, for a period of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

About Bharat Baburao Patil
With over 25 years of diversified leadership experience, Patil is widely recognized for his contributions to education, infrastructure development, environmental conservation, and public welfare. A postgraduate in Political Science and Law, he currently serves as the Chairman of Vidhyavardhini Shikshan Sanstha, Karad, and is the Founder of SAIO INFRA, known for pioneering Asia’s longest ropeway project between Mahabaleshwar and Pratapgad.
He also holds leadership roles at Saio Infra Venture Pvt. Ltd., Navi Mumbai Jankalyan Nidhi Ltd., and serves as Honorary Wildlife Warden of Satara District. Patil has previously served on district-level planning and agricultural committees, while also actively promoting youth and athletics in Maharashtra.

About Mahendra Singh Rao
Hailing from Rajasthan, Rao brings with him over 25 years of expertise in the mining industry, having operated multiple mines across the state. A respected entrepreneur and heritage conservationist, he has also served as Chairman of the Vanshavali Conservation and Promotion Academy, Government of Rajasthan (with the status of State Minister), and as the National President of the All India Genealogy Conservation and Promotion Organisation for over a decade.
Rao is recognized for his scholarly contributions to genealogy and has spearheaded several national-level conferences on heritage conservation in collaboration with Indian universities.
Their diverse professional backgrounds are expected to bring fresh perspectives to NMDC’s board, particularly in areas of community engagement, sustainability, and sectoral innovation.
About NMDC
NMDC Limited, a Navratna PSU under the Ministry of Steel, is India’s largest producer and exporter of iron ore, operating fully mechanized mines in Chhattisgarh and Karnataka. Apart from iron ore, NMDC is also involved in the exploration of other minerals such as rock phosphate, gypsum, diamond, coal, and more. It operates the country’s only mechanized diamond mine located in Panna, Madhya Pradesh.