New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Mr. Manepalli Sridhar for the post of Director (Human Resources) at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) following interviews with 11 candidates on 28 July 2026.
The recommendation was made during PESB Meeting No. 64/2026, held at 8:45 AM on Tuesday. Sridhar is currently serving as Executive Director (Human Resources) at BHEL Corporate Office in New Delhi.
If approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), he is expected to take charge as the full-time Director (Human Resources) of BHEL.
Manepalli Sridhar Recommended for BHEL Director (HR) Post
The PESB has selected Manepalli Sridhar as its recommended candidate for the senior HR leadership position at BHEL.
Sridhar is a senior BHEL executive with extensive experience in human resource management. His long association with the company and experience in key HR positions make him an internal candidate with a strong understanding of BHEL’s workforce and organisational systems.
The final appointment, however, will depend on approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC).
Who is Manepalli Sridhar?
Mr. Manepalli Sridhar, also known as M. Sridhar, has more than 34 years of experience with BHEL.
He joined Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited in 1990 as an Engineer Trainee and has since held several important positions within the organisation.
During his career at BHEL, he has handled various responsibilities in the human resources function. He previously served as General Manager and Head (Human Resources) at the BHEL Corporate Office before being elevated to the position of Executive Director (Human Resources).
His long experience with BHEL has given him extensive exposure to areas including:
- Human resource management
- Employee relations
- Industrial relations
- Workforce management
- HR systems and policies
- Organisational development
His recommendation is significant as he brings decades of experience and an in-depth understanding of BHEL’s workforce and internal HR processes.
11 Candidates Interviewed for BHEL Director (HR) Post
The PESB interviewed a total of 11 candidates for the position of Director (Human Resources) at BHEL.
The complete list of candidates interviewed is as follows:
- Mr. Manepalli Sridhar – Executive Director (Human Resources), BHEL
- Mr. Ajay Kumar – Executive Director (PEM, CPC & ISG), BHEL
- Mr. Gowrishankar Chittimouj – General Manager (Operations, Works Engineering, HR, DTG), BHEL
- Mr. Rajeev Krishna Srivastava – General Manager (HR), BHEL
- Mr. Raju MVSN – General Manager (HR, C&PR), BHEL
- Dr. (Mrs.) Sandhya Kar – General Manager (HR, TA, C&PR & Medical), BHEL
- Mr. Santosh Kumar Gupta – General Manager (HR), HEEP Haridwar, BHEL
- Mr. Venkataramanan G – Executive Director & Regional Head, Western Region Pipelines, Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Mr. Tekkam Sridhar – Senior Executive Director, Housing & Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO)
- Mr. Atul Kumar Chaudhary – Senior Deputy Director General, Department of Telecommunications
- Mr. Jignesh Thakorbhai Ray – General Manager (HR), Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd
The selection process included candidates from BHEL as well as other public sector organisations and government departments.
What Happens After PESB Recommendation?
The PESB recommendation is not the final appointment. The proposal will now be forwarded to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for final approval.
The next steps are expected to be:
- PESB recommends the candidate for the post.
- The recommendation is sent to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
- The ACC considers and approves the appointment.
- Following the final approval and appointment order, the selected candidate takes charge of the position.
Once the ACC gives its approval, Manepalli Sridhar is expected to assume charge as the full-time Director (Human Resources) of BHEL.
Why the Appointment is Important for BHEL
The Director (Human Resources) plays a crucial role in managing the workforce and strengthening human resource systems in a large public sector enterprise like BHEL.
The appointment comes at a significant time as BHEL continues to focus on its business growth and expansion across key sectors, including:
- Power
- Defence
- Renewable energy
The new HR leadership will be responsible for supporting the company’s workforce requirements, strengthening employee relations and aligning human resource strategies with BHEL’s broader business objectives.
With more than three decades of experience within BHEL, Sridhar’s potential appointment could bring continuity and extensive institutional knowledge to the company’s HR function.
Final Approval from ACC Awaited
The recommendation of Manepalli Sridhar by PESB marks an important step in the process of appointing the next Director (Human Resources) at BHEL.
The final decision now rests with the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. The appointment will become official after the ACC issues its final approval and the subsequent appointment order is released.
About Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is one of India’s leading public sector engineering and manufacturing companies. The company is involved in the design, engineering, manufacturing, construction and servicing of power and industrial equipment. BHEL has a significant presence in sectors such as power, transmission, transportation, defence and renewable energy, and plays an important role in supporting India’s industrial and infrastructure development.
Read also: BHEL Q1 FY27 Results: Profit Surges to ₹382 Crore as Revenue Climbs 40% to ₹7,698 Crore
