In a key development, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has kickstarted the selection process for appointing a new Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), with the tenure of the current CMD, Mr. Arun Kumar Singh, set to conclude in December 2025.
Mr. Singh, who assumed office on December 7, 2022, was appointed for a three-year term. With his retirement drawing closer, PESB has accelerated efforts to find a capable successor to lead India’s largest oil and gas exploration company.
Sources familiar with the matter revealed that over 24 candidates have applied for the coveted position. The list includes two serving CMDs from Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), two Director (Finance)-level officers, several senior executives, and a number of external aspirants from the broader industry.
The selection process is likely to progress rapidly over the coming months, with PESB expected to begin shortlisting and interviewing candidates soon. The move is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining leadership continuity at ONGC, a strategic public sector enterprise in India’s energy landscape.