New Delhi: Seven candidates are in contention for the post of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), with the selection process entering a key stage ahead of incumbent Arun Kumar Singh’s tenure ending on December 7, 2026.
According to an office memorandum, the consolidated list includes senior executives from ONGC, other oil and gas public sector enterprises and state-owned energy companies. Ranjit Rath, CMD of Oil India Limited, and Rajarshi Gupta, Managing Director of ONGC Videsh Limited, are among the prominent names in the race.
The seven candidates have been shortlisted/received for consideration under the prescribed selection guidelines.
Seven Candidates in ONGC CMD Race
The candidates include senior executives with experience across oil exploration, production, technology, finance, strategy and marketing.
Full List of Candidates
- Ranjit Rath – Chairman and Managing Director, Oil India Limited
- Rajarshi Gupta – Managing Director, ONGC Videsh Limited
- Vikram Saxena – Director, Technology and Field Services, ONGC
- Satyam Kumar – Director, Strategy and Corporate Affairs, ONGC
- Dulal Halder – Director, Operations, ONGC Videsh Limited
- Devendra Kumar – Director, Finance, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL)
- SP Shrivastava – Director, Marketing, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
Two serving ONGC directors — Vikram Saxena and Satyam Kumar — are therefore also in contention for the top post.
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No Private Sector Candidate in Final List
The shortlist comes after the government revised the eligibility conditions for the ONGC CMD selection to broaden the potential candidate pool.
Under the revised framework, executives from:
- Other Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSEs)
- State-owned energy companies
- Private-sector energy companies
were made eligible to apply for the position.
However, all seven candidates in the current list are from the public sector, with no private-sector applicant featuring in the shortlist.
The wider eligibility criteria had been expected to bring candidates with experience beyond ONGC and the traditional petroleum public sector into consideration.
Three-Member Search-Cum-Selection Committee to Recommend CMD
The appointment will be recommended by a three-member Search-Cum-Selection Committee (SCSC).
The committee comprises:
- Chairperson, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) – Chairperson
- Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas – Ex-officio member
- Former Chairman of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) – Outside expert
The selection is being conducted through the SCSC route rather than the standard PESB selection process.
A similar mechanism was used for ONGC’s previous full CMD selection in 2022, when the committee included then PESB Chairperson Mallika Srinivasan, Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain and former Indian Oil Chairman B Ashok as the outside expert.
ONGC CMD Vacancy to Arise in December
The application process for the post closed on July 22, 2026.
The position will become vacant on December 7, 2026, when the tenure of incumbent CMD Arun Kumar Singh comes to an end.
Under the revised selection conditions:
- The maximum age at the time of vacancy is 59 years.
- The initial appointment will be for three years.
- The tenure can be extended by up to two additional years following a performance review.
- Employment or extension beyond the age of 60 years will be on a contractual basis.
Arun Kumar Singh to Complete Tenure in December
Arun Kumar Singh joined ONGC in 2022 after retiring as Chairman of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
His appointment was notable as he became the first person to head a Maharatna public sector undertaking after retirement. His tenure was subsequently extended by one year in December 2025.
The upcoming selection will determine the next leadership of ONGC at a time when the company is focusing on expanding exploration, deepwater operations and strengthening domestic oil and gas production.
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. It is India’s largest exploration and production company and is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas across onshore and offshore assets in India, along with international operations through its subsidiaries.
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