ONGC Chairman: Sunil Kumar Named to Succeed Arun Kumar Singh
Image: Free Press Journal
Sunil Kumar, an executive director at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), has been chosen as the company’s next chairman by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. According to an ACC order dated 21 October reported by PSU Watch, he takes charge on or after 7 December 2026, replacing Arun Kumar Singh. ONGC informed the BSE and NSE of the decision under SEBI’s disclosure rules, Whalesbook reported on 23 October.
An Insider Takes the Top Job
Kumar is 58 and has spent his career at ONGC, which he joined in 1991 as an assistant executive engineer in Sivasagar, Assam. Free Press Journal describes him as the first ONGC chairman promoted straight from the executive director rank. He has been executive director and asset manager of the Mehsana asset since 8 January 2025.
A petroleum engineering graduate of the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, he worked on well engineering and offshore services at Mumbai High and on the KG-DWN-98/2 Cluster II deepwater development off Kakinada, per FPJ. A search-cum-selection committee under the Petroleum Ministry held two rounds of interviews before the ACC cleared the name.
Three Years, Counting His Pre-Retirement Service
The three-year tenure is a combined one. Kumar serves until superannuation on 31 December 2028 and then on a contract basis, so the term runs to the end of three years or until further orders, whichever is earlier, PSU Watch reported. It is not three years added after retirement.
Singh has been chairman and chief executive since December 2022, and his extended tenure ends on 6 December 2026. PSU Watch also reported speculation that Singh could get another extension; the appointment order points to Kumar taking over from 7 December.
Handover Due Early December
The company has not announced a handover ceremony. The next date to watch is 7 December 2026, the earliest day Kumar can assume charge. Until then Singh continues to head ONGC, India’s largest oil and gas producer.
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Source: Based on reporting by PSU Watch, Free Press Journal and Whalesbook.
Image: Free Press Journal.
