Interview for IOCL Director (Pipelines) Post Junked, Leaving Industry Circles Puzzled
MoP&NG requests PESB to postpone selection meeting scheduled for October 8
In a surprising turn of events, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has postponed the interview for the post of Director (Pipelines), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), which was originally scheduled to be held on October 8, 2025.
According to the PESB communication dated September 26, 2025, the selection meeting, earlier fixed between 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, now stands postponed until further orders, following a request from the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG). PESB has instructed that “all the candidates may be informed accordingly.”
Vacancy Remains Unfilled Since July
The post of Director (Pipelines) — a critical leadership position responsible for managing and operating India’s largest cross-country oil and gas pipeline network spanning over 20,000 km — has remained vacant since the retirement of Mr. N. S. Kumar in July 2025.
At present, Mr. Arvind Kumar, Director (Refineries), IOCL, is holding the additional charge of Director (Pipelines).
Prolonged Delays and Policy Ambiguity
The selection process for this important position has faced repeated delays. Earlier this year, the process was put on hold due to a proposal under consideration to restructure and downsize the IOCL Board, which led to temporary suspension of interviews for several top-level posts.
After much anticipation, PESB had shortlisted candidates and announced the interview date as October 8, 2025. However, in an unprecedented development, the MoP&NG, vide its Office Memorandum dated October 3, 2025, requested cancellation of the scheduled interview, leading to the current situation.
Speculation and Uncertainty
The abrupt postponement has sparked widespread speculation within industry and PSU circles. With no official clarification yet from the ministry or IOCL, many are left wondering about the factors influencing this last-minute decision.
Observers believe the continued vacancy in such a vital operational post could impact pipeline safety, efficiency, and expansion plans, especially as IOCL continues to invest heavily in infrastructure upgrades and new energy corridors.
Until further orders, the selection of Director (Pipelines) remains in limbo — adding another chapter to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding top-level appointments in India’s oil and gas sector.
