Pandey, who is currently serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Textiles Department of the West Bengal government, will lead the public sector undertaking for a five-year term or until he reaches the age of superannuation, whichever occurs earlier.

His transition to the helm of Damodar Valley Corporation is highly significant given the organization’s critical role in managing power generation and infrastructure across Jharkhand and West Bengal. This leadership transition follows the retirement of the previous permanent DVC Chairman, S. Suresh Kumar, on May 31. Following his exit, NTPC Chairman and Managing Director Gurdeep Singh had assumed additional charge of the top post for a two-month interim period, which is scheduled to conclude on July 31, paving the way for Pandey to take over his new responsibilities shortly.

Beyond his scientific triumphs, Nabhya has also demonstrated extraordinary talent in the literary field by earning a spot in the prestigious PM-YUVA 3.0 Mentorship Scheme. Sponsored by the Ministry of Education and executed by the National Book Trust, this central initiative selects and nurtures the country’s brightest young minds to promote literary excellence. Being named one of India’s youngest authors under this national program highlights his diverse intellectual capabilities. Nabhya’s dual achievements in both advanced STEM education and creative literature establish him as an inspiring role model for aspiring students across India, showcasing the immense potential of the next generation of youth.

Prior to joining Pawan Hans, he served as General Manager (Aviation), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), where he led critical aviation fuel operations, airport infrastructure initiatives and strategic business development activities supporting both civil and defence aviation sectors.

Under his leadership, NLCIL aggressively expanded its green footprint by launching initiatives in Green Hydrogen, Battery Energy Storage Systems, and Pumped Storage Projects, while also venturing into the critical minerals sector to secure long-term assets. This clear focus on sustainable growth and energy transition resulted in an unprecedented rise in market capitalization, reflecting deeply reinforced trust from investors, financial institutions, and business partners. Long-pending projects were expedited, and a strong culture of project management excellence, mine productivity, and digital transformation was successfully established.

Beyond business growth, Shri Motupalli emphasized safety, environmental sustainability, employee welfare, and community development. His dedication to fostering a safety-first culture and team innovation boosted workforce morale and earned the company numerous prestigious national and international accolades. In his farewell address, he expressed deep gratitude to the workforce and voiced his absolute confidence that NLCIL’s strong institutional foundation would enable it to continue driving India’s energy security and sustainable development under future leadership.

The Board of Directors, employees, and stakeholders of NLC India Limited have warmly welcomed Shri Jha at a critical juncture as the company pursues an ambitious, nationwide growth roadmap under implementation. Under his guided leadership, the company remains highly confident in accelerating its key strategic initiatives, including digital transformation, capacity expansion, operational efficiency, and a stronger push into clean, renewable energy. With his rich governance background steering the organization, NLCIL is well-positioned to achieve higher benchmarks of operational excellence and sustainable growth, contributing meaningfully to the future of India’s energy security.