Exclusive: Arun Kumar Singh’s Extension File Reaches PMO, ONGC Chairman Set for Double Whammy

Double whammy for Arun Kumar Singh — the 63-year-old Chairman of ONGC is set not only to complete his rare post-superannuation stint at the helm of India’s largest oil and gas PSU but is now also likely to get a two-to-three-year extension till December 2027. The move, sources say, has come as a shocker to many aspirants who had pinned hopes on the upcoming vacancy for the coveted position.

Singh’s current three-year tenure ends on December 6, 2025, with his superannuation due the following day. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has already recommended an extension, and the final approval rests with the PMO.

If cleared, Singh will continue to lead ONGC till December 2027, cementing his position as one of the rare PSU chiefs to head a Maharatna CPSU beyond conventional retirement age.

Double Whammy for Arun Kumar Singh Comes as a Shocker to Many

According to industry sources, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has mooted a proposal recommending a two to three-year extension for Singh. The final decision rests with PMO, which may approve either a one/two or even three-year extension. If cleared for three years, Singh could continue at the helm of India’s largest oil and gas producer until December 2028.

This move comes despite the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) having floated a vacancy for the ONGC Chairman’s post earlier this year on March 3, 2025. Speculation about a fresh search-cum-selection process has now dimmed, with the government reportedly prioritizing leadership continuity during a critical phase for the Maharatna PSU.

Singh’s Journey and Appointment

A seasoned professional, Singh earlier served as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). He was appointed as full-time ONGC Chairman in 2021, ending a prolonged phase of interim leadership following the retirement of Shashi Shanker on March 31, 2021.

Singh’s appointment itself was unusual — he was selected for the top post after superannuation and after being chosen to head the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). The oil ministry had relaxed age-related eligibility norms, raising the limit from 57/58 years to 60 years, which enabled Singh, along with a handful of other retired PSU chiefs, to be considered.

The August 2021 interviews for the ONGC top post saw nine candidates shortlisted, including ONGC’s acting Chairman Alka Mittal, IOC chief S.M. Vaidya, and Engineers India Limited CMD Vartika Shukla. Several ONGC directors — including Anurag Sharma (Onshore), O.P. Singh (Technical & Field Services), and Pomila Jaspal (Finance) — were initially excluded and later called at the last moment, but they chose not to attend.

Eventually, the Search-cum-Selection Committee, comprising the PESB Chairman, the Petroleum Secretary, and former IOC CMD B. Ashok, recommended Singh’s name. This raised eyebrows as other contenders, including HPCL’s Mukesh Kumar Surana and ONGC’s own former acting Chairman Subhash Kumar, were overlooked.

What Extension Means for ONGC

With global energy markets volatile, India’s energy security needs rising, and ONGC’s expansion into both conventional and renewable energy gathering pace, industry watchers say Singh’s continuation would provide stability and policy alignment.

However, the decision has left many aspirants within ONGC and other oil PSUs dissatisfied, with sources describing the development as leaving “many with sour grapes.”

With this extension, Singh will become one of the rare PSU chiefs to head a Maharatna CPSU well past the conventional retirement age.