New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has officially recommended Anjani Kumar for the prestigious board-level position of Director (Technical) at Western Coalfields Limited (WCL). The decision was taken during a high-level selection meeting held on June 22, 2026, in New Delhi.
The recommendation now moves to the final approval stage, which includes vigilance clearance and endorsement by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), headed by the Prime Minister.
Strong Competition in PESB Selection Process
The selection process saw participation from 11 senior-level candidates drawn from leading subsidiaries of Coal India Limited and other public sector enterprises. All candidates were experienced professionals holding top managerial and technical positions across India’s coal and mining ecosystem.
Despite strong competition from general managers and executive directors across multiple PSUs, Dr. Anjani Kumar emerged as the top recommended candidate.
Read also: Western Coalfields Wins Performance Excellence Award 2025–26 at IIIE CEOs Conference in Goa
Profile of Recommended Candidate: Anjani Kumar
Academic Background
Anjani Kumar is known for his strong academic foundation in mining engineering and management:
- B.Tech in Mining Engineering from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
- Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad
- MBA in Human Resources from Sikkim Manipal University
His academic expertise combines technical mining knowledge with managerial and organizational leadership skills.
Career Journey in Coal India Limited
With over 33 years of experience, Dr. Kumar has built his entire professional career within the Coal India ecosystem:
- 1993–2024: Field engineering, vigilance roles, and Technical Secretary to CMD at Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)
- 2024–2025: Project and planning responsibilities at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL)
- Oct 2025–Present: Executive Director (Contracts) at Coal India Limited Headquarters, Kolkata
His experience spans contract management, production planning, vigilance oversight, and large-scale mining project execution.
List of Candidates Interviewed by PESB
The PESB interview panel evaluated a diverse group of 11 senior officers from various coal and mineral PSUs. The full list includes:
- Anjani Kumar – Executive Director (Contracts), Coal India Limited (Recommended)
- Babuli Kishor Jena – GM (Mining), SECL
- Kalyanjee Prasad – GM / Area GM, CCL
- Dhanraj Akhare – GM (Safety & Rescue), BCCL
- Suman Saurabh – GM / Area GM, NCL
- Sanjay Kumar Sahu – GM (Production), MCL
- Rajesh Ralhan – GM, CMPDIL
- Ranjay Sinha – GM, CCL
- Sanjeev Kumar – Area GM, NCL
- Umesh Singh – Executive Director & Unit Head, Hindustan Copper Limited
- B. Anbuchelvan – Executive Director & CEO, NLC India Limited
These candidates represented major PSUs including Coal India subsidiaries, mineral planning organizations, and copper and lignite sector enterprises.
What Lies Ahead for the Appointment
Following PESB’s recommendation, Anjani Kumar will now undergo mandatory vigilance clearance checks. Once cleared, the proposal will be forwarded to the ACC (Appointments Committee of the Cabinet) for final approval.
If approved, he will assume charge as Director (Technical) at WCL, one of India’s important coal-producing subsidiaries under Coal India Limited.
About Western Coalfields Limited (WCL)
Western Coalfields Limited is a key subsidiary of Coal India Limited engaged in coal mining operations across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The company operates a mix of open-cast and underground mines, contributing significantly to India’s coal production and energy security. It plays a crucial role in meeting thermal power demand while focusing on modernization, safety, and production efficiency.
The company operates a mix of open-cast and underground mines and focuses on production efficiency and safety standards. It is also actively working on modernization and technology-driven mining practices to enhance output and operational sustainability.
