PESB Invites Applications for Board-Level Director Posts at HAL and IREL

New Delhi, January 20, 2026:
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has invited applications for two key board-level leadership positions at major central public sector undertakings (CPSUs) — Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and IREL (India) Limited. The move underlines the government’s continued focus on strengthening leadership at strategic and resource-critical PSUs.

HAL to Appoint Director (Engineering & R&D)

Maharatna defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced a vacancy for the post of Director (Engineering, Research & Development). The role is central to HAL’s long-term technology roadmap, overseeing research, design, engineering, and development of advanced aerospace platforms.

The position carries a Schedule ‘A’ pay scale of ₹1.80 lakh to ₹3.40 lakh per month (IDA). The selected candidate will be responsible for driving innovation across HAL’s R&D centres, strengthening indigenous design capabilities, managing new technology programmes, and supporting India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision in the defence sector.

HAL currently operates across 21 divisions and 9 R&D centres, supplies more than 60% of the platforms used by Indian defence forces, and maintains an order book exceeding ₹1.84 lakh crore, reflecting its strategic importance to national security.

IREL Seeks Director (Marketing)

In a parallel notification, PESB has also invited applications for the post of Director (Marketing) at IREL (India) Limited, a Mini Ratna Category-I PSU under the Department of Atomic Energy. IREL plays a vital role in the mining and processing of heavy minerals and rare earth materials, which are critical for clean energy, electronics, and strategic industries.

The Director (Marketing) role comes under Schedule ‘B’, offering a pay scale of ₹1.60 lakh to ₹2.90 lakh per month (IDA). The position involves overseeing domestic and international marketing, sales strategy, product positioning, quality systems, and business development initiatives.

IREL has been consistently rated ‘Excellent’ under the MoU framework and is fully owned by the Government of India, with a growing focus on supporting the global clean energy supply chain.

Who Can Apply

Both positions are open to senior executives from:

Central and State PSUs
Central Government Group ‘A’ services
Armed Forces
Large private-sector companies meeting turnover criteria

Candidates must have significant leadership experience and will be considered only through the PESB selection process.

Application Timeline

Last date for candidate applications: 10 February 2026 (3:00 PM)
Last date for forwarding by nodal authorities: 19 February 2026 (5:00 PM)

Applications must be submitted online via the PESB website. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.