New Delhi: Former Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) Chairperson Soma Mondal is set to demit office today upon completing her three-year tenure as a Member of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).
While a proposal to extend her tenure had been under consideration, the Union government has reportedly declined it, indicating a shift toward new leadership in the country’s top headhunting body for public sector enterprises.
Proposal Rejected Despite Support from Officials
Sources suggest that a significant section of officials across government services and Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) believed that Soma Mondal deserved an extension, given her administrative experience and leadership track record.
However, the decision to deny an extension appears final, with insiders indicating that the central establishment has already identified her successor. A formal announcement is expected shortly.
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Transition from SAIL to PESB
Soma Mondal had joined the PESB in early 2023, shortly before her superannuation as SAIL Chairperson on April 30, 2023.
Her appointment to the PESB came in February 2023—just weeks before retirement—and was widely viewed as a recognition of her administrative acumen and leadership in the steel sector.
She had taken over the position following the resignation of Shekhar Mital (Retd), former CMD of Goa Shipyard Ltd.
A Trailblazer in India’s Steel Sector
Before her PESB role, Mondal made history as the first woman Chairperson of SAIL, one of India’s largest steel-making companies.
Her tenure at Steel Authority of India Limited was marked by key strategic decisions and leadership during a challenging phase for the steel industry.
‘Contentious Issues’ May Have Influenced Decision
While tenure completions are routine, sources within the bureaucracy suggest that the denial of an extension may not have been purely procedural.
Reports indicate that “old contentious issues” linked to her time at SAIL could have influenced the government’s decision. In recent months, SAIL has faced internal disputes and administrative friction.
These developments reportedly culminated in the abrupt and “unpleasant” resignation of current SAIL Chairman Amrendu Prakash, bringing renewed scrutiny to the organisation’s leadership environment.
Focus Shifts to Successor and PSU Leadership Pipeline
With Mondal’s exit, attention now turns to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC), which is expected to announce her successor soon.
The PESB plays a crucial role in selecting top leadership for Navratna and Maharatna PSUs, many of which currently have vacancies or upcoming leadership transitions.
Her successor will be tasked with ensuring stability and continuity in appointments across India’s public sector ecosystem.
About Soma Mondal
Soma Mondal (born 1963) is a trailblazing Indian businesswoman who served as the first female Chairperson of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) from 1 January 2021 to 30 April 2023. An electrical engineering graduate from NIT Rourkela (1984), she built a career spanning over 35 years in the metal industry, beginning as a trainee at NALCO before joining SAIL as Director (Commercial) in 2017. Known as the “Queen of Steel,” she was the first woman Functional Director at both NALCO and SAIL. Under her leadership, SAIL achieved record-breaking financial performance, including surpassing Rs 1 lakh crore in turnover in FY2022, and she was listed in Forbes’ “World’s 100 Most Powerful Women” in 2022 and 2023. Post-retirement, she has been serving as a member of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) since May 2023.
End of a Significant Chapter
As Soma Mondal steps down, her tenure at the PESB marks the conclusion of another significant phase in her distinguished public sector career.
Her journey—from leading a Maharatna PSU to shaping leadership selection at the national level—remains a notable chapter in India’s administrative and corporate governance landscape.
About Steel Authority of India Limited
Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) is one of India’s largest state-owned steel producers and a Maharatna public sector enterprise. The company plays a vital role in supplying steel for infrastructure, construction, railways, and defense sectors, contributing significantly to India’s industrial growth and economic development.
