Rajesh Pandey, IAS 1995 batch, West Bengal cadre, has assumed charge as the 51st Chairman of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) under the Ministry of Power on July 23, 2026. With over 31 years of administrative experience and a strong background in the power sector, including leading WBSEDCL and WBSETCL, he brings extensive expertise in governance, electricity distribution, and public policy.
Key Highlights
- Rajesh Pandey, IAS, assumes charge as the 51st Chairman of DVC.
- Brings over 31 years of administrative and power sector experience.
- Previously served as CMD of WBSEDCL and MD of WBSETCL.
- IIT Kharagpur alumnus and Fulbright Fellow with a Master’s from Carnegie Mellon University.
Rajesh Pandey, IAS, a 1995 batch officer of the West Bengal cadre, has officially assumed charge as the 51st Chairman of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) on July 23, 2026. His appointment brings to DVC a seasoned administrator with decades of experience in governance, public administration, and the power sector.
During his 31-year career in the Civil Services, Shri Pandey has held several key positions in the Government of West Bengal, including Additional Chief Secretary for the MSME & Textiles, Personnel & Administrative Reforms, Sports & Youth Services, and Co-operation Departments. He also served as Secretary of the Consumer Affairs Department, contributing significantly to policy formulation and administrative reforms.
A major part of his career has been dedicated to the power and energy sector. Rajesh Pandey served as Chairman & Managing Director of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) for more than five years, while simultaneously holding additional responsibilities as Chairman of New Town Electric Supply Co. Ltd. (NTESCL) and Managing Director of West Bengal State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (WBSETCL). He also served as Director of Durgapur Projects Limited (DPL) and as a Member of the Governing Body of the West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Agency (WBREDA), where he contributed to universal electrification and long-term power sector planning in the state.
Academically, Shri Pandey earned his B.Tech. (Hons.) in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur in 1993. He was selected as a Fulbright Fellow for Leadership Development in 2008 and later completed a Master’s in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University, USA, in 2010. His blend of technical expertise, public policy knowledge, and leadership experience is expected to strengthen DVC’s role in India’s evolving energy landscape.
The appointment of Rajesh Pandey as Chairman of Damodar Valley Corporation comes at a crucial time when the organization continues to expand its contribution to power generation, transmission, and sustainable energy development. His extensive administrative and power sector experience is expected to support DVC’s strategic growth and operational excellence.
