New Delhi: — The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has announced that it could not identify a suitable candidate for the position of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) following a recently held board-level selection meeting. As a result, the board has advised the Administrative Ministry to consider alternative routes, including setting up a Search-cum-Selection Committee (SCSC), subject to the approval of the competent authority.
The position is scheduled to fall vacant on August 1, 2025, with the superannuation of the current CMD, who was appointed by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) and has been serving since September 1, 2020. He is also currently holding the post of Director (Strategic Project) at HSL.
With no candidate selected, sources indicate that an extension of tenure for the current CMD is a likely course of action.
Similar Trends Across Other PSUs
This marks a growing trend among major public sector undertakings (PSUs) where PESB has found no suitable candidates during the CMD selection process.
For NTPC Limited, none of the 12 candidates interviewed were recommended. The Ministry of Power has been advised to initiate a selection through the Search-cum-Selection Committee process. Current CMD Gurdeep Singh is set to retire on July 31, 2025, with growing speculation about a possible extension.
Likewise, BSNL faced a similar outcome. PESB found none of the 10 shortlisted candidates fit for the CMD post. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is expected to explore alternate routes, and incumbent CMD Robert Jerard Ravi may continue with an extended term.
Hindustan Shipyard CMD Selection: Interviewed Candidates
The following 12 applicants were interviewed for the HSL CMD role:
- Mr Rajesh Kumar – Executive Director (Finance), Bridge and Roof Company (India) Limited
- Mr Ravinder H Teckchandani – General Manager, BHEL
- Cmdr. Ajay Zadoo – GGM, Central Warehousing Corporation
- Mr Anil Kumar Singh – GM (M&C and HR), Hindustan Copper Limited
- Mr Ishwar Chandra Gupta – GM (Electrical Repair Shop), SAIL
- Mr Mahesh Prasad Burnwal – GM, IISCO Steel Plant (SAIL)
- Mr Manas Ranjan Panda – GM (Warehouse), SAIL
- Mr Pradipta Kumar Behera – AGM, NTPC Limited
- Mr Manoj Kumar Dash – DGM (Purchase), RSP, SAIL
- Mr Satyesh Kumar Chaudhary – DGM, NMDC Limited
- Rear Admiral T.V.N. Prasanna – Joint Secretary, NSCS
- Rear Admiral Sandeep Singh Sandhu – Senior Directing Staff (Navy), Defence
Despite the diverse backgrounds and seniority of the candidates, no recommendation was made, reinforcing the PESB’s recent trend of cautious selection for top PSU leadership roles.
About PESB
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) is a high-level body under the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), Government of India. It is responsible for selecting and recommending candidates for top management posts (CMDs, MDs, Directors) in Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).
