Coal India Limited (CIL), India’s largest coal producer, has appointed B. Sairam as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a strategic move to strengthen leadership as the company advances its production and diversification plans.
The appointment was approved by the Coal India board at its meeting held on December 26, 2025, with Sairam’s tenure as CEO effective from December 15, 2025. Alongside this role, he continues to serve as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Maharatna public sector enterprise, assuming dual responsibility for steering both operations and long-term strategy.
B. Sairam brings more than three decades of experience in the coal sector. Prior to taking charge at Coal India, he served as Chairman and Managing Director of Northern Coalfields Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CIL. Earlier in his career, he held senior technical roles, including Director (Technical) at Central Coalfields Limited, where he played a key role in strengthening coal logistics, implementing first-mile connectivity projects, and managing regulatory and environmental clearances.
The decision to combine the roles of CEO and CMD is intended to streamline decision-making and enhance leadership effectiveness at a time when Coal India is pursuing higher production targets for the 2025–26 financial year. The company is also exploring diversification into critical minerals and other strategic areas, requiring focused and integrated leadership.
Under Sairam’s leadership, Coal India aims to balance its core coal operations with emerging opportunities, while continuing to play a central role in meeting India’s energy requirements.
