New Delhi: The race to find the successor to ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Arun Kumar Singh has entered its next stage, with seven candidates shortlisted to appear before the search-cum-selection committee for the second round of interviews this week.
The shortlist was finalised after 18 applicants were screened on August 18, 2026. The selection process has also involved certain age relaxations, including further relaxations applicable to candidates from power-sector public sector undertakings such as NTPC and ONGC.
Among the seven shortlisted candidates, Oil India Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Ranjit Rath is emerging as a prominent contender for the country’s largest oil and gas exploration company’s top position.
Rath is making a second attempt at securing the ONGC CMD post. He had also been shortlisted during the previous selection process, but the government subsequently decided to extend Arun Kumar Singh’s tenure.
Seven Candidates in ONGC CMD Race
The seven candidates shortlisted for the second round include senior executives from ONGC, its overseas arm and other major public sector oil companies.
The shortlisted candidates are:
- Ranjit Rath, Chairman and Managing Director, Oil India Ltd
- Rajarshi Gupta, Managing Director, ONGC Videsh Ltd
- Vikram Saxena, Director, Technology and Field Services, ONGC
- Satyam Kumar, Director, Strategy and Corporate Affairs, ONGC
- Dulal Halder, Director, Operations, ONGC Videsh Ltd
- Devendra Kumar, Director (Finance), MRPL
- S P Shrivastava, Director (Marketing), Indian Oil Corporation
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The candidates are expected to appear before the search-cum-selection committee in the second round of the selection process.
Ranjit Rath Emerges as Key Contender
Among the names in the fray, Ranjit Rath is being viewed as one of the strongest contenders.
Rath currently heads Oil India Ltd, another major state-owned oil and gas exploration and production company. His inclusion in the shortlist is particularly significant as he had previously competed for the ONGC CMD position.
He was shortlisted for the post last year as well. However, the government chose to extend the tenure of incumbent Arun Kumar Singh instead of appointing a new CMD.
With Singh’s extended tenure now nearing its end, Rath has once again entered the race.
Age Eligibility Question Over Rajarshi Gupta
The inclusion of Rajarshi Gupta, Managing Director of ONGC Videsh Ltd, has raised questions over the age eligibility condition specified in the advertisement.
Gupta is set to be 59 years and five months old on December 7, 2026, which is the date on which the vacancy is expected to arise following the end of Singh’s extended tenure.
The age criterion has therefore become a potentially contentious issue because a literal interpretation of the 59-year age condition could raise questions about Gupta’s eligibility on the date of vacancy.
The issue could potentially result in litigation if Gupta is eventually selected for the post, particularly from candidates who may have chosen not to apply because they would have crossed the prescribed age limit by the date of the vacancy.
The selection process has already seen age-related relaxations, adding further significance to the interpretation of the eligibility criteria.
ONGC Had No Full-Time Chairman for Over a Year
The current succession process comes against the backdrop of an unusual leadership history at ONGC.
The company remained without a full-time chairman between April 2021 and December 2022. During this period, ONGC was headed by three interim chairmen.
Arun Kumar Singh was eventually appointed CMD in December 2022 after the government relaxed the applicable eligibility rules.
The search-cum-selection committee had picked Singh for the position in August 2022, even though he was less than four months short of turning 60 at the time.
Singh subsequently assumed charge as ONGC CMD in December 2022 after retiring as Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL).
His appointment itself had therefore represented an exception to the conventional age criteria for the top position.
Arun Kumar Singh Received One-Year Extension
Singh was granted a rare one-year extension last year, allowing him to continue as ONGC CMD until December 2026.
The extension ensured continuity at the top of the country’s flagship oil and gas exploration company while the earlier succession process did not result in a change of leadership.
By the time his extended tenure concludes in December, Singh will be more than 64 years old.
The forthcoming selection process is therefore expected to determine who will take charge of ONGC after Singh’s extended tenure comes to an end.
Second Round of Selection to Decide Next ONGC CMD
With seven candidates now shortlisted after the initial screening of 18 applicants, the second round of interviews will be an important step in selecting the next head of ONGC.
The presence of senior executives from Oil India, ONGC Videsh, ONGC, MRPL and Indian Oil Corporationmakes the contest a closely watched one within the public-sector energy sector.
Ranjit Rath’s previous shortlisting and current leadership of Oil India place him among the key names to watch, while the candidature of Rajarshi Gupta could attract further attention because of the questions surrounding the applicable age criterion.
The final appointment will ultimately depend on the recommendation of the selection process and the government’s decision.
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is India’s largest exploration and production company and a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. ONGC is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas and is also expanding its focus towards new and emerging energy opportunities.
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