Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande Recommended as CMD of Western Coalfields Limited

New Delhi, February 13, 2026: In a landmark move for India’s energy sector, the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has officially recommended Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande for the position of Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL).

WCL is a critical Schedule B Miniratna PSU and a vital subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), responsible for significant coal production across Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

The Selection Process: PESB Meeting No. 11/2026

The recommendation followed a rigorous selection process held today at 08:45 AM. Dr. Pande emerged as the top choice among 12 elite senior executives interviewed from diverse backgrounds, including Coal, Railways, Oil, and Engineering.

Contenders Interviewed for the Post:

1. Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande – Director (Personnel), WCL (Recommended)

2. Shri Om Prakash Mishra – ED (Community Development), CIL

3. Shri Kripa Shankar Singh – ED (Quality Management), CIL

4. Shri Md Anzar Alam – Director (Finance), ECL

5. Shri Pankaj Pandey – Director (Technical), MECL

6. Shri Bikram Ghosh – Director (Finance), WCL

7. Shri Darla Sunil Kumar – Director (Finance), SECL

8. Shri Jagadish Chandra Mazumdar – ED, NLC India Limited

9. Shri Pravin Dongre – ED (SDNZ & HSE), IOCL

10. Shri Dibendu Das – Director (Finance), EPIL

11. Shri Shivkumar P. Deshmukh – Chief Engineer, Ministry of Railways

12. Shri Rakesh Kumar Rousan – ED (Business Development), Railway Board

Profile: The Visionary Leader Currently Serving WCL

Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande (56) is currently serving as the Director (Personnel) at Western Coalfields Limited, a charge he assumed on January 27, 2025.

A Decorated Career and Recent Accolades

With over 35 years of experience in the coal sector, Dr. Pande's current tenure has already been marked by national recognition:

• People-Centric Leadership Award (2025): In October 2025, he was honored by the Chief Minister of Goa at the 19th Global Communication Conclave for his transformative and inclusive HR practices.

• VNIT Felicitation (2025): Recently, his alma mater, VNIT Nagpur, felicitated him for his outstanding contributions to public sector leadership.

• Best General Manager Award (2022): Recognized by Coal India Limited for his exceptional leadership during his tenure at SECL.

The Academic and Global Foundation

Dr. Pande's strategic depth is supported by a rich academic background:

• Education: B.Tech in Mining Engineering (VNIT Nagpur, 1989), M.Tech in Mining, MBA, and a PhD in Management.

• Global Exposure: He attended Advanced Global Techno-Management training at ESCP Business School (Europe) and has represented the Indian delegation at global forums like the PDAC in Toronto, Canada.

Why Dr. Pande? Strategic Impact for WCL

His transition from Director (Personnel) to CMD is expected to drive:

• Operational Synergy: Leveraging his 19 years at WCL and 16 years at SECL to bridge technical operations and human resource management.

• Innovation in Mining: Having previously led the commissioning of high-capacity SILO dispatch systems at Gevra (India's largest opencast mine), he brings a blueprint for modernizing WCL’s infrastructure.

• Sustainable Growth: Focus on environment-friendly coal dispatch and IT-driven innovations to enhance transparency.

The Next Steps: ACC Approval

The PESB’s recommendation now moves to the Government of India for formal approval by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). Once vigilance clearances and final nods are obtained, Dr. Pande will formally take charge, leading WCL toward its 2030 energy security targets.

Quick Stats: Western Coalfields Limited (WCL)

• Parent Company: Coal India Limited (CIL)

• Status: Miniratna Category-I PSU

• Headquarters: Nagpur, Maharashtra

• Key Operations: Mining in Wardha, Pench, and Kanhan valleys.