October 23, 2026: The government has appointed Sunil Kumar, an executive director of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), as the state-run energy major's next chairman, making him the first executive in the company's history to be elevated directly from the executive director rank to its top post. Kumar will succeed Arun Kumar Singh, whose extended tenure ends on December 6, according to the appointment decision.

The appointment follows a multi-stage selection process in which a search-cum-selection committee conducted two rounds of interviews before recommending Kumar. The appointment was subsequently approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The October 21 order said Kumar, who is currently ED of ONGC's Mehsana asset, has been appointed chairman of the company "with effect from the date of his assumption of charge of post on or after December 7, 2026, till his superannuation, ie December 31, 2028 and thereafter on contract basis, for a combined tenure of three years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

"Kumar's elevation represents a departure from the conventional progression to ONGC's top job, which has generally involved prior service in board-level positions.
His appointment marks the first time an ONGC executive has been elevated directly from the rank of executive director - one level below the board - to the company's top job. Similar appointments have been made at other state-owned energy companies, including Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and GAIL (India) Ltd, but ONGC has not previously followed this route to the chairmanship.

Kumar's appointment puts an operational executive in charge of the country's largest oil and gas producer at a time when the government is seeking to increase domestic hydrocarbon output and reduce dependence on imports.
Kumar, 58, took charge as Executive Director and Asset Manager of ONGC's Mehsana Asset on January 8, 2025. He was subsequently appointed an ONGC nominee director on the board of ONGC TERI Biotech Ltd, effective January 24, 2025.

A petroleum engineering graduate of the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, Kumar also holds a postgraduate qualification in business management, specialising in marketing and finance.

(Source: Daily Excelsior)