Singh, 56, who is currently Director of Refineries at IOCBSE -1.25 %, was selected for the top job after government headhunters Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) interviewed eight candidates.

 

Besides Singh, PESB interviewed Oil IndiaBSE 0.35 % Director HR and Business Development Biswajit Roy and four executive directors of IOC, it said in a notice.

 

Singh, who has been Director of Refineries at IOC since July 1, 2014, will replace B Ashok on his superannuation at end of May 2017.

 

He will have three-year tenure at the helms of India's largest oil refining and marketing commpany. IOC is also the nation's biggest company by revenue.

 

Singh served as an Executive Director of Paradip Refinery Project as well as head of IOC's Panipat Refinery before becoming a director.

 

A Chemical Engineer from IIT-Roorkee, Singh joined IOC in December 1981 as Trainee Engineer and has worked in various positions at Mathura, Barauni and Panipat refineries of the company.

 

PESB recommendation will now go to the administrative ministry, ie the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas which will after receiving vigilance clearance send the proposal to the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Miniter Narendra Modi for approval.