ONGC Chairman & CEO Arun Kumar Singh Gets One-Year Extension; Move Leaves Key Aspirants Stunned

In a significant development for India’s energy sector, Arun Kumar Singh — the 63-year-old Chairman and CEO of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) — has been granted an extension beyond his scheduled superannuation. Singh’s current three-year tenure was set to end on December 6, 2025, with his retirement slated for the following day.

However, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had recommended a one-year extension, and the final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has come. The decision allows Singh to continue leading India’s largest oil and gas PSU at a crucial time for the sector.

A Uniquely Positioned Leader

Arun Kumar Singh, a seasoned energy-sector professional, previously served as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). His appointment as full-time ONGC Chairman in October 2021 was already a departure from convention — he was selected after superannuation and after being named Chairperson of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).

To facilitate his appointment, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas relaxed age-related norms, raising eligibility from 57/58 to 60 years. The Search-cum-Selection Committee, comprising the PESB Chairman, the Petroleum Secretary, and former IOC CMD B. Ashok, had selected Singh from a pool of nine shortlisted candidates.

Continuity Amid Global Energy Challenges

With global energy markets facing volatility, India’s energy security needs rising, and ONGC’s push into both conventional and renewable energy intensifying, the government appears to be prioritizing a steady, experienced hand at the top. Singh’s continuation is expected to provide policy stability and strategic direction at a crucial juncture.