New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Mr. Ajay Kumar, a senior executive from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), for appointment as Director (Operations & Business Development) at Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL). The recommendation was made during PESB Meeting No. 53/2026, held on June 23, 2026, at 10:30 AM in New Delhi.
BPRL is a Schedule-B Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) and the upstream oil and gas exploration and production subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL).
About the Selected Candidate: Ajay Kumar
Mr. Ajay Kumar is currently serving as General Manager and Executive Assistant to the Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs) at ONGC, one of India’s largest public sector oil and gas companies.
With extensive experience in the energy sector, he emerged as the preferred candidate after a competitive selection process involving senior professionals from leading public sector undertakings in the oil, gas, and engineering domains.
Strong Competition from Senior PSU Executives
The selection process witnessed participation from senior officials across leading public sector enterprises in the energy sector, including:
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
- ONGC Videsh Limited
- Engineers India Limited
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
- Bharat Petro Resources Limited
Competitive Selection Process with Senior PSU Executives
The selection process saw participation from highly experienced candidates representing major public sector organizations, including ONGC, ONGC Videsh, Engineers India Limited (EIL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), and BPRL itself.
Among those interviewed were:
- Mr. Harinath Viswanathan, General Director, BPRL
- Mr. K. Vairaprakasam, Chief General Manager In-charge, Field Maintenance Group, ONGC Ankleshwar Asset
- Mr. Ajay Kumar, General Manager and Executive Assistant to Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs), ONGC
- Mr. Hemant Kumar Sonkar, General Manager (Production), ONGC Videsh Limited
- Mr. Rajeev Chak, Senior General Manager (Projects), Engineers India Limited
- Kavita Bhardwaj, Deputy General Manager (Corporate Strategy & Planning), HPCL
- Mr. Partha Debnath, Deputy General Manager (Projects), Engineers India Limited
- Dr. Rajnish Kumar, Deputy General Manager (Aviation), Indian Oil Corporation Limited
After detailed interviews and evaluation, the PESB recommended Ajay Kumar for the senior leadership role at BPRL.
Significance of the Appointment
The recommendation is considered an important leadership development for BPRL, which is actively working to strengthen its operational capabilities and expand its footprint in the upstream exploration and production sector. The role of Director (Operations & Business Development) is expected to be crucial in driving growth strategies, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing the company’s business portfolio.
About Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL)
Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL) is the upstream exploration and production (E&P) subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). The company is engaged in oil and gas exploration, development, and production activities both in India and overseas. As a Schedule-B CPSE, BPRL plays a strategic role in strengthening India’s energy security by participating in global hydrocarbon assets and expanding domestic exploration initiatives.
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