Deepak Gupta Recommended as Next CMD of GAIL (India) by PESB
Deepak Gupta has been selected by the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) as the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of GAIL (India) Ltd., India's largest gas utility. Currently serving as Director (Projects), Gupta has over 35 years of experience in the oil and gas sector and a strong background in project management. His appointment is pending final government approval, and he is expected to succeed Sandeep Kumar Gupta upon his retirement in February 2026.[2][3][4]
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Deepak Gupta as the next Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of GAIL (India) Ltd., the country's leading natural gas company and a Maharatna public sector enterprise. Gupta, who is currently the Director (Projects) at GAIL, was chosen from a pool of 12 candidates, and his selection awaits final approval from the government. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from Delhi College of Engineering (now DTU) and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) with 35 years of multifaceted experience in the oil and gas sector.[2][3][4] Gupta is widely respected for his expertise in project management, construction, and business development, having led major infrastructure projects such as the multi-billion-dollar Dangote Refinery in Nigeria and several large installations in India. At GAIL, he has managed high-value gas transmission and petrochemical projects, aligning with India's energy transition goals. As CMD, Gupta is expected to focus on strengthening GAIL's pipeline network, enhancing gas marketing, and driving diversification into hydrogen, biofuels, and renewable energy, supporting the company's alignment with India's national energy transition objectives.[1][5][6]His leadership is anticipated to bring operational efficiencies, digital transformation, and strategic expansion, ensuring a smooth transition after the current CMD, Sandeep Kumar Gupta, retires in 2026. The appointment comes at a crucial time for GAIL, which is navigating market dynamics and regulatory changes in a volatile global energy landscape.[5][6]
