Sanjay Khanna appointed CMD- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited
Shri Sanjay Khanna has been appointed as the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, marking a significant leadership transition in one of India’s foremost public sector energy enterprises. His elevation comes at a crucial juncture when the global and domestic energy landscape is witnessing rapid transformation, requiring experienced leadership and strategic foresight.
The appointment has been approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, underscoring the government’s emphasis on continuity and stability in leadership at BPCL. Khanna will serve in this capacity until his superannuation on May 31, 2029, or until further orders. His appointment is expected to provide a steady hand in guiding the organization through evolving market dynamics, energy transition challenges, and expansion opportunities.
Prior to assuming this role, Khanna served as Director (Refineries) at BPCL, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing refining capabilities and driving operational excellence across the company’s key installations. With over three decades of experience within BPCL, he has built a strong reputation for his deep technical expertise and hands-on leadership approach. He has been closely associated with the development and commissioning of major process units at BPCL’s refineries located in Mumbai, Kochi, and Numaligarh, contributing significantly to capacity augmentation and technological advancement.
Khanna has also led two of BPCL’s most critical refining assets—the Kochi Refinery and the Mumbai Refinery—where he demonstrated strong operational leadership and strategic execution. During his tenure as Executive Director of Kochi Refinery, he successfully steered the commissioning of BPCL’s first niche petrochemical venture, the Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP). Notably, this achievement came during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting his ability to navigate complex situations and deliver results under pressure.
Under his leadership, BPCL has laid out an ambitious investment roadmap of approximately ₹75,000 crore over the next five years. A major highlight of this plan is the ₹50,000 crore Bina Petrochemical and Refinery Expansion Project (BPREP) in Madhya Pradesh, which is set to become one of the largest investments in the company’s history. This project is expected to significantly enhance BPCL’s petrochemical portfolio while strengthening its position in the downstream energy sector.
In addition to his responsibilities within BPCL, Khanna serves on the boards of several prominent companies, including Bharat PetroResources Limited, Petronet LNG Limited, and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited. These roles highlight his extensive influence and involvement across India’s energy value chain, spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream operations.
Academically, Khanna is a Chemical Engineering graduate from National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli, one of India’s premier engineering institutions. He further strengthened his managerial and financial expertise by pursuing a postgraduate qualification in Finance Management from University of Mumbai. This blend of technical and financial knowledge has enabled him to take a balanced and strategic approach to complex business decisions.
With his appointment as C&MD, BPCL is expected to further consolidate its operational strengths and sharpen its strategic focus. Khanna’s extensive institutional knowledge, combined with his proven leadership track record, positions the company well to navigate the evolving energy landscape, embrace innovation, and pursue sustainable growth. His leadership is likely to play a crucial role in driving BPCL towards greater efficiency, resilience, and long-term value creation in the years ahead.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is one of India’s leading public sector enterprises in the oil and gas sector, playing a critical role in the country’s energy security and economic growth. Headquartered in Mumbai, BPCL operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.
The company is engaged across the entire hydrocarbon value chain, including refining, marketing, distribution, and retailing of petroleum products. BPCL owns and operates major refineries in Mumbai, Kochi, and Bina, which together contribute significantly to India’s refining capacity. It also has a strong presence in fuel retailing, with an extensive network of petrol pumps spread across the country.
Beyond conventional fuel operations, BPCL has diversified into natural gas, renewable energy, and petrochemicals, aligning itself with the global shift towards cleaner energy. Through subsidiaries and joint ventures like Bharat PetroResources Limited and Petronet LNG Limited, it has expanded its footprint in upstream exploration and LNG infrastructure.
With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and customer-centric services, BPCL continues to strengthen its position as a key player in India’s evolving energy landscape.
Indian Bureaucracy News wishes Shri Sanjay Khanna the very best.