New Delhi, October 24 — The government has appointed Sunil Kumar, Executive Director at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), as the next Chairman of the country's largest exploration and production company, The Hindu BusinessLine reported. Kumar, who is currently Executive Director and Asset Manager of ONGC's Mehsana Asset, will take over from Arun Kumar Singh, whose extension ends on December 6.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

He was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) following a proposal from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, which was based on the recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection Committee, according to an official order dated October 21, 2026, Indian PSU reported. Kumar will assume charge on or after December 7, 2026.

Source: Indian PSU

Dec 7, 2026Date on or after which Sunil Kumar will assume charge as ONGC Chairman
3 yearsCombined tenure, including a contractual period after superannuation
Dec 31, 2028Kumar's superannuation date
Rs 2,00,000-3,70,000Monthly pay scale for the post (yaani Rs 2 lakh to Rs 3.7 lakh a month) under the IDA pattern

Kumar joined ONGC in 1991 as an Assistant Executive Engineer (Production) in Assam and is a petroleum engineering graduate from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, The Hindu BusinessLine reported. He was instrumental in planning and executing the first deepwater project, Vasistha and S1, on the East Coast, and led India's largest shallow-water subsea project, overseeing the drilling, completion and putting on production of 11 subsea wells.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine

The appointment brings clarity to the leadership transition at ONGC, India's flagship upstream oil and gas producer, which plays a significant role in the country's domestic hydrocarbon production and energy security. It also elevates an executive from within the organisation to the top post.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine