New Delhi: The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Rakesh Kumar, currently serving as General Manager (Technical Services) at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), for the post of Director (Operations) at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL).
The recommendation was announced in New Delhi on October 9, 2026, following a selection process in which several senior executives from public sector oil and gas companies were interviewed for the position.
The PESB recommendation will now be submitted to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for final approval. If approved, Kumar will take charge as Director (Operations) at CPCL, an Indian Oil subsidiary and a major petroleum refining company in South India.
Who Is Rakesh Kumar?
Rakesh Kumar is a senior executive at Indian Oil Corporation Limited and currently serves as General Manager (Technical Services). He has extensive experience in the oil refining and downstream petroleum sector, particularly in technical services and operational functions.
PESB recommended Kumar for the board-level position after evaluating candidates from leading public sector oil and gas companies. His appointment, however, remains subject to approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
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Eight Senior Executives Interviewed for CPCL Director (Operations) Post
The selection process involved interviews with senior professionals from IOCL, CPCL and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC).
Apart from Rakesh Kumar, the following executives were interviewed for the post:
- Kondapalli Siva Rama Rao – Chief General Manager and CEO, IOLPL, IOCL
- M. Sankar – Chief General Manager, Chairman’s Secretariat, IOCL
- Muralidhar S. – Chief General Manager (LPG), Karnataka State Office, IOCL
- Purushotham – Chief General Manager (Corporate Planning and Business Development), CPCL
- Om Prasad Chetry – General Manager-in-Charge (HR), IOCL
- Thullibilli Kishor Babu – General Manager (Operations), CPCL
- Bhishmadev Mandal – Chief General Manager (Production), ONGC
- Om Prakash – General Manager-in-Charge (Operations and Maintenance Contracts), ONGC
The selection process brought together senior executives with experience in refining, operations, corporate planning, technical services, human resources and production.
Director (Operations) Is a Schedule ‘A’ Board-Level Position
The Director (Operations) post at Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited is a Schedule ‘A’ board-level position. The role involves overseeing the company’s overall refinery operations and related operational functions.
The position is significant for managing refinery performance, operational efficiency and the execution of key activities across the company’s refining operations.
As a major petroleum refining company in South India, CPCL plays an important role in the country’s downstream petroleum sector.
PESB Recommendation Awaits ACC Approval
Following the PESB’s recommendation, the proposal will be placed before the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet for final approval.
The recommendation does not by itself confirm the appointment. Kumar will assume charge as Director (Operations) at CPCL only after the necessary approval is granted and the appointment process is completed.
About Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) is a major petroleum refining company in India and a subsidiary of Indian Oil Corporation Limited. Headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, CPCL operates in the refining and downstream petroleum sector, supplying petroleum products for domestic and industrial requirements.
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