Sunil Kumar to be next ONGC Chairman

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Kumar will take over the charge from Arun Kumar Singh, whose extension ends on December 6.

By Our Bureau

Updated - October 22, 2026 at 08:03 PM. | New Delhi, October 22

Sunil Kumar

The government has appointed Sunil Kumar, Executive Director at Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), as the next Chairman of the country’s largest exploration & production (E&P) company.

Kumar, who is currently the Executive Director and Asset Manager of ONGC’s Mehsana Asset, will take over the charge from Arun Kumar Singh, whose extension ends on December 6.

He was cleared by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) following a proposal from the Oil Ministry, which was based on the recommendation of the Search-cum-Selection Committee.

His appointment also brings clarity on the leadership transition at the company, which has generated considerable speculation. Besides, it also elevates an executive within the organization.

Kumar joined the Maharatna company in 1991 as an Assistant Executive Engineer (Production) in Assam. He was instrumental in planning and executing the first deep water project--Vasistha & S1 on the East Coast.

A petroleum engineering graduate from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, Kumar led the planning, coordination, and execution of India’s largest shallow water subsea project, overseeing the drilling, completion and put-on production of 11 subsea wells.

Kumar will take over the top spot at ONGC after December 7, 2026 and has a combined tenure of three years. The order also provides for his continuation on a contractual basis after his superannuation on December 31, 2028.

Published on October 22, 2026

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