B. Sairam has assumed charge as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL) with effect from December 15, 2025. His appointment marks a significant leadership transition at the country’s largest coal producer at a time when the sector is balancing production growth with efficiency, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.
Prior to this role, Sairam served as CMD of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of CIL, where he played a key role in strengthening project execution, mine development, and operational performance. With over three decades of experience in the coal sector, he brings deep technical expertise and administrative insight to the top position at Coal India.
A graduate mining engineer from NIT Raipur, Sairam has worked across diverse domains including mine operations, project planning, coal logistics, and regulatory affairs. He also holds an MBA in Energy Management from the NTPC School of Business, Delhi, equipping him with a strong understanding of the evolving energy landscape.
Earlier, as Director (Technical) at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Ranchi, he was instrumental in advancing first-mile connectivity projects, securing forest and environmental clearances, and projectising greenfield and brownfield mines. His tenure also saw focused efforts on improving coal evacuation infrastructure and streamlining project approvals.
Known for his emphasis on structured project financing, operational efficiency, and community development initiatives, Sairam’s leadership at Coal India is expected to focus on enhancing productivity, strengthening logistics, and aligning the company’s operations with national energy and sustainability priorities.