Ashok Kumar Panda has taken charge as Chairman & Managing Director of Steel Authority of India Limited on May 9, 2026. Prior to this appointment, he served as Director (Finance) and also held the additional charge of Director (Commercial) for nearly nine months.
Dr. Panda joined SAIL in 1992 as a Management Trainee (Technical) after completing his degree in Electrical Engineering. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has handled key operational, financial, and commercial responsibilities across multiple plants and units within the company.
During his tenure as Director (Finance), he led several strategic initiatives focused on improving operational efficiency and profitability. His contributions included driving technical improvements, enhancing production through product basket enrichment, and revamping policies related to operations, sales & marketing, human resources, and finance.
As Director (Commercial), Dr. Panda played a significant role in aligning operational performance with market and financial goals by focusing on higher sales volumes, improved net sales realisation, inventory reduction, and stronger product branding.
Upon assuming charge as CMD, Dr. Panda said SAIL is preparing for its next phase of expansion to 35 MTPA capacity. He added that the company will continue prioritising workplace safety, strengthening raw material security through domestic mining and overseas assets, and expanding its market presence with a greater focus on value-added products and long-term stakeholder value creation.