Manoj Kumar Sharma Gets PESB Nod for Director (Projects) at GAIL

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma, Executive Director and Regional Head at Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), for appointment as Director (Projects) of GAIL (India) Limited, a Schedule ‘A’ Maharatna Public Sector Enterprise.

The recommendation was made during PESB Meeting No. 46/2026 held on June 13, 2026, in New Delhi for selection to the board-level post. A total of 12 senior executives from GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation Limited, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), and the Government of India appeared before the selection panel.

Among the candidates interviewed were senior GAIL executives including Ajay Tripathi, Aloke Kumar Naskar, Atul Kumar Tripathi, Anupam Mukhopadhyay, Kaipil Kumar Jain, Praveer Kumar Srivastava, and Rakesh Kumar Singh. Other contenders included BPCL Executive Director (Pipelines) Biju Gopinath, IOCL Executive Director (Project-Process) Sanjay Kumar Papneja, VSEZ Development Commissioner Srinivas Muppaala, and PNGRB Secretary Anjan Kumar Mishra.

Following the selection process, PESB recommended the name of Shri Manoj Kumar Sharma for the coveted post of Director (Projects), GAIL (India) Limited.

As Director (Projects), Sharma will be responsible for steering GAIL’s project execution strategy, expansion initiatives, infrastructure development, and capital investment programs across the country. The appointment will be subject to the necessary approvals from the competent authority.

GAIL (India) Limited is India’s leading natural gas company and plays a pivotal role in the development of the country’s gas-based economy through its extensive pipeline network, petrochemicals business, city gas distribution interests, and renewable energy initiatives.