The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended Pushpam Kumar, Senior General Manager at the India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), for appointment as Director (Personnel) of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), the corporate entity that operates the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
The recommendation was made at the PESB selection meeting held on September 5, 2026, according to the official minutes of the selection meeting.
Pushpam Kumar emerged as the recommended candidate after interviews involving seven applicants for the Schedule A Director (Personnel) position at RINL.
Seven candidates interviewed
The PESB meeting considered the following candidates:
- Rahul Jayanti – Deputy General Manager (Town Administration) In-charge, RINL
- Dr. (Mrs.) Radhika Dasari – Deputy General Manager (HR), In-charge Plant HR, RINL
- Muin Hanifa Sultana – Deputy General Manager (HR), Corporate Establishment, RINL
- Mohammad Yusuf Hussain – General Manager (Human Resource), Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
- Pushpam Kumar – Senior General Manager, India Trade Promotion Organisation
- Somu – General Manager (HRD), Madras Fertilizers Limited
- Rajender Prasad Maurya – General Manager (HR), NHPC Limited
Following the interviews, PESB recommended Shri Pushpam Kumar for the post of Director (Personnel), RINL.
Important appointment for RINL
The Director (Personnel) is a key member of the top management team at RINL, with responsibilities covering human resources, employee relations, organisational development and personnel administration.
The recommendation comes at an important juncture for RINL as the company continues to navigate operational, financial and organisational challenges while seeking to strengthen its position in India’s steel sector.
Pushpam Kumar’s selection is also notable because, unlike several other candidates interviewed, his current position is with India Trade Promotion Organisation, rather than a steel-sector PSU.
PESB recommendation is the first step
The PESB recommendation does not by itself constitute the final appointment. The selection will be subject to the applicable government approval process before the formal appointment is issued.
If approved, Pushpam Kumar will take charge as Director (Personnel) of RINL, succeeding the incumbent upon completion of the relevant transition and appointment formalities.
The selection meeting was part of PESB Meeting No. 74/2026 and specifically dealt with the selection for the post of Director (Personnel), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), Schedule A.
What makes the selection significant?
The appointment will place Pushpam Kumar in one of the key functional leadership positions at RINL. With human resources playing a crucial role in industrial relations, workforce productivity and organisational restructuring, the Director (Personnel) position assumes particular significance for the steelmaker.
