SAIL Director: Online Interviews on September 21 as 12 Top PSU Executives Compete

The critical selection process for the pivotal position of Director (Finance and Accounts) at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has seen a brief rescheduling. Originally slated for Friday, September 18, the high-profile interviews were deferred following the sudden leave of absence taken by the Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB). Qualified candidates will now present their credentials during an intensive virtual evaluation session scheduled for Monday, September 21, running between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, with the official selection recommendation expected to be announced by the panel later that evening.Lineup of 12 PSU Leaders: Key Contenders from SAIL, BSL, RSP, and GAIL IndiaA competitive field of 12 senior public-sector executives has cleared scrutiny to vie for the Maharatna steelmaker's premier financial leadership desk. Prominent names in the race include P.K. Mishra, Chief General Manager (Finance) of the Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL) SRU unit. Market and ministry watchers are tracking a closely contested race among frontrunners such as Arup Mukherjee, Executive Director at SAIL Corporate Office, Hafiq Kumar Say, Chief General Manager (Finance) at Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), and Pankaj Bhutani, Executive Director at GAIL India, each presenting strong operational portfolios managing large capital budgets across major state-run enterprises.Five-Year Strategic Mandate to Succeed CMD Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda’s Dual ChargeThe executive selected by the PESB panel will step into a strategic five-year appointment effective from May 9, 2026, anchoring capital expenditure, balance sheet restructuring, and long-term liquidity management for the country's flagship steel producer. Currently, SAIL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Ashok Kumar Panda has been handling additional responsibilities as the Director of Finance and Accounts. The upcoming online panel will establish clear financial governance at SAIL as the steel giant balances major decarbonization goals, domestic capacity expansion, and volatile global commodity pricing cycles.