Alka Mittal has become the first woman to lead ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation), India's largest exploration and production business, and the country's second woman to lead an oil corporation, following Nishi Vasudeva's historic takeover of oil refiner-fuel retailer Hindustan Petroleum in March 2014.
Mittal was appointed to the position by the Department of Personnel and Training on Monday evening, 72 hours after it became vacant when Subhash Kumar, who had been in charge since February 2021 in addition to his normal work as Director (Finance), resigned on December 31.
Mittal, who is now the director of human resources, has been appointed for six months or until a permanent chairperson is found, whichever comes first. Nonetheless, her rise to the top of ONGC represents a growing diversity in the 'macho' oil and gas business, which is still one of the last bastions of male domination.
Mittal, who holds a master's degree in economics and a doctorate in commerce, shattered the glass ceiling in ONGC by becoming the company's first female board member on November 27, 2018. She was a key figure in providing a safe working environment for the company's 27,000 employees and thousands of contract workers, particularly women employees and engineers stationed on offshore platforms and in distant regions, in order to keep operations running throughout the epidemic.
Her hiring comes as ONGC is under pressure to monetize major producing areas by bringing in commercial partners — presumably to provide technology and increase output.
Mittal's appointment corresponds with the government's focus on skilling, fostering a favourable workplace climate for women, and enhancing corporate governance. He previously served as the head of skill development for ONGC before becoming director. Mittal established a variety of programmes to cultivate potential and upskill ONGC's enormous workforce, particularly women, with his love for training and mentorship. Mittal had taught corporate governance to more than 11,000 ONGC graduate trainees as part of their induction programme before becoming director (HR) in 2001.
