Coal India Board Appoints B. Sairam as CEO, Role Added to CMD Position
The consolidation in role is expected to enable quicker decision-making and better alignment across subsidiaries and major projects
Coal India Limited (CIL) has appointed B. Sairam as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), in addition to his current role as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). The appointment was approved by the company’s Board of Directors and has come into effect from December 15, 2025. It will remain valid until his superannuation or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
B. Sairam brings with him over three decades of experience in the coal and mining sector. Prior to assuming charge as CMD of Coal India Limited, he served as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), one of CIL’s key producing subsidiaries, where he played a significant role in strengthening operations, project execution and capacity expansion.
The decision to combine the CMD and CEO roles is aimed at ensuring leadership continuity and sharper coordination at a time when Coal India Limited is pursuing ambitious production targets and operational efficiency measures. The consolidation is expected to enable quicker decision-making and better alignment across subsidiaries and major projects.
Coal India Limited continues to remain a critical pillar of India’s energy ecosystem, supplying a substantial portion of the country’s coal requirement for power generation and core industries. With electricity demand on the rise, the company is focusing on production discipline, logistics optimisation and operational streamlining to ensure supply reliability.
At the same time, the coal behemoth is gradually expanding its strategic footprint beyond conventional mining. The PSU has indicated interest in coal gasification, renewable energy initiatives and other emerging areas linked to long-term resource security.
As CEO and CMD, B. Sairam will be tasked with balancing Coal India Limited’s growth and diversification plans while sustaining its central role in meeting the nation’s energy needs amid evolving market dynamics and sustainability expectations.
