NLC India Appoints Dr. Prasanna Kumar Acharya as CMD

Effective Date: September 17, 2026 | Tenure: 5 Years

Reader Takeaway: Dr. Acharya brings decades of infrastructure expertise to lead NLC India's ambitious 2030 power and mining capacity expansion.

What just happened

NLC India Ltd has formally elevated Dr. Prasanna Kumar Acharya to the position of Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). The appointment, approved by the Ministry of Coal, comes following his successful tenure as the company's Director (Finance) and CFO. Dr. Acharya officially took charge on September 17, 2026, replacing Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, who held the additional responsibility during the transition period.

Why this matters

The appointment provides leadership stability as NLC India pursues its long-term strategic goals. Dr. Acharya is intimately familiar with the company's financial and operational roadmap, having played a central role in recent digital transformation projects and infrastructure joint ventures. His deep background in both finance and the power sector is seen as a key driver for the company's capital-intensive growth projects.

The roadmap

Dr. Acharya is responsible for executing NLC India’s vision for 2030. Key targets include:

• Achieving 20 GW of total power generation capacity.
• Reaching over 100 MTPA in total mining capacity.
• Continued execution of major infrastructure projects, including the massive Phase-II project for Chennai Metro Rail Limited.

Professional Background

Dr. Acharya brings nearly 30 years of experience across the power and mining industries. His prior career includes significant roles at industry giants like NTPC and Tata Power. Academically, he holds a Ph.D. from Utkal University, an MBA, and professional memberships as a Fellow of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of India and an Associate of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India.