Vikas Kaushal has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) for a period of five years. He succeeds Rajneesh Narang, director (finance), who was handling the additional charge of CMD since September 1, 2024.

Kaushal’s appointment as CMD of HPCL marks a landmark shift in India’s oil sector. For the first time, a private-sector executive has been chosen to lead a state-run oil company, reflecting a broader push to bring in external expertise to drive efficiency and innovation.

Kaushal (53) brings a wealth of experience to the role. A chemical engineer from Panjab University with an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad, he has spent years advising major oil and gas PSUs, including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and GAIL.

Before this, he was the global leader for energy and process industries at Kearney and also served as the Managing Director and Country Head for Kearney India. His previous work with HPCL included setting up a centralized procurement office and leading its petrochemical diversification strategy.