New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda for the post of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), marking a major leadership transition for one of India’s largest steel producers. The recommendation came during PESB Meeting No. 26/2026 held on Saturday.
PESB Selection Highlights
The PESB, after interviewing multiple senior executives from PSUs and government departments, formally recorded the recommendation in Minute No. 1 for the CMD post under Schedule A. Dr. Panda’s extensive experience in financial management, commercial operations, and long tenure within SAIL were key factors in his selection.
Candidates Interviewed for CMD Post
Internal SAIL Candidates
- Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda (Selected): Director (Finance), Additional Charge Director (Commercial)
- Manish Raj Gupta – Director (Mining), CMD (Additional Charge) at Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)
- Alok Verma – Director-in-Charge, Rourkela Steel Plant
- Bipin Kumar Giri – Executive Director (Mines Development)
- Munna Prasad Singh – Executive Director (Mines), Rourkela
- Anish Sengupta – Executive Director (Projects)
Candidates from Other PSUs & Government Departments
- Krishna Gopal Agarwal – Director (Finance), RITES Limited
- Anup Kumar Satpathy – Principal Chief Safety Officer, South East Central Railway
- Dr. Pudi Hariprasad – Principal Financial Adviser, Railways Ministry
- Chetan Prakash Jain – Additional Secretary & Financial Advisor, CMD Central Electronics Limited
Why Dr. Panda’s Appointment Matters
Dr. Panda’s leadership is expected to strengthen SAIL’s role in:
- National infrastructure growth
- Expansion of steel production
- PSU modernization and profitability
- India’s long-term industrial strategy
The CMD of SAIL is central to the government’s Make in India initiative and plays a strategic role in driving the company’s operational and financial excellence.
Dr. Panda’s Professional Journey
- Three Decades at SAIL: Dr. Panda began his career as a Management Trainee in 1992 and has served across plants and units in finance, mining, and project management.
- Current Roles: Director (Finance) and additional charge of Director (Commercial) since April 2025.
- Key Contributions: Led deleveraging, cost optimization, tax planning, digital invoicing, and policy reforms, strengthening SAIL’s financial health.
- Academic Credentials: Electrical Engineering degree, PGDM in Finance from XIM Bhubaneswar, and Ph.D. in Business Finance.
- Recognitions: Recipient of the Jawahar Award for Excellence in Cost Management, acknowledged for contributions across financial and operational domains.
Next Steps
The PESB recommendation will now be forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for approval. Upon approval, Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda will officially assume charge as CMD of SAIL.
About SAIL
Steel Authority of India Limited is a Maharatna public sector undertaking and one of India’s largest steel producers. Operating integrated steel plants across the country, SAIL plays a key role in supporting national infrastructure, industrial growth, and the government’s Make in India and strategic development initiatives.
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