Jindal Steel Limited has re-appointed steel industry veteran Vidya Rattan Sharma, widely known as VR Sharma, as its Managing Director, marking his return to the company’s top executive position after previously holding the role from 2019 to 2022.
The Board of Directors approved Sharma’s appointment as an Additional Director and Managing Director for a two-year term beginning July 24, 2026. The appointment, recommended by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, remains subject to shareholder approval. He succeeds Gautam Malhotra, who resigned from the Managing Director position effective July 15, 2026.
In his renewed leadership role, Sharma will oversee Jindal Steel’s business strategy, operational performance and expansion initiatives. His appointment comes as the integrated steel producer continues to increase manufacturing capacity and strengthen its position in India’s infrastructure- and manufacturing-led growth market. The company expects his experience to support operational excellence and guide its next phase of development.
Sharma brings approximately four decades of international leadership experience spanning steel, power, metals, mining and cement. He previously served as Managing Director of Jindal Steel, formerly known as Jindal Steel & Power Limited, between 2019 and 2022. Following that tenure, he remained associated with the group as an adviser, supporting its leadership on strategic projects and business initiatives.
Earlier, Sharma served as Deputy Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the steel business at Jindal Steel & Power from 2010 to 2014. His career also includes senior leadership responsibilities at Bhushan Power & Steel and the Bangladesh-based Abul Khair Group, where he led steel and power operations. He began his career with international assignments before holding positions at companies including Lloyds Steel and Ispat Industries.
A Mechanical Engineer with an MBA in Marketing, Sharma has also participated in several industry and policy bodies. His previous responsibilities include leadership positions with the Indian Lead Zinc Association, Sponge Iron Manufacturers Association of India, Confederation of Indian Industry and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry. He has also contributed to a NITI Aayog committee focused on promoting coal gasification in India.
Jindal Steel is one of India’s leading integrated steel producers, operating through a mine-to-metal business model. Headquartered in New Delhi, the company has major facilities in Angul, Raigarh and Patratu, with an integrated steelmaking capacity of 15.6 million tonnes per annum. Its products support infrastructure, construction, railways and manufacturing applications.
