PESB faces scrutiny over NMDC Director (Personnel) shortlisting
Delhi : The process of appointing the Director (Personnel) at NMDC, a Navratna PSU under the Government of India, has come under controversy, with serious questions being raised over the Public Enterprises Selection Board’s (PESB) shortlisting procedure. Interviews for the post are scheduled on 23 December, but the inclusion of an additional candidate at the last moment has triggered allegations of favoritism and lack of transparency.
PESB had initially released a list of 12 shortlisted candidates on 10 December, including five officers from NMDC and seven from other PSUs. However, several senior and experienced NMDC officers at the GM level and above, who reportedly possess extensive personnel management experience, were excluded. The controversy deepened after PESB issued a special notice on 19 December, adding NMDC Executive Director Shivendra Bahadur Singh as the 13th candidate, citing a representation made by him on 16 December. Questions are being raised over why similar opportunities were not extended to other applicants.
Sources further allege that the newly added candidate has no prior experience in the personnel department, raising concerns about undue influence and external pressure on the selection process. With the current Director (Personnel) set to retire on 31 January 2026, the episode has sparked debate over lobbying by senior officials within and outside NMDC. If not addressed transparently, experts warn that the issue could cast a shadow on the credibility of PESB and tarnish the image of the government and the Ministry of Personnel.
