The post of SECI Chairman and MD, at present, is being held by Santosh Kumar Sarangi (IAS: 1994: OR), Secretary, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, as additional charge. The position fell vacant after the Centre sacked its Chairman Rameshwar Prasad Gupta (Retd IAS: 1987: GJ) over a month ahead of the completion of tenure.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) sacked Gupta for SECI's controversial decisions on tendering. During Gupta's tenure, SECI had barred India's Reliance Power from participating in competitive tenders for renewable energy projects. It withdrew the order a month later after a court directive. 

Gupta was appointed SECI Chairman on June 15, 2023, and was scheduled to complete his tenure as SECI Chairman on June 14, 2025. The Centre had accorded SECI “Navratna” status in August last year. 

The timing of termination had raised curiosity across sections. A section of insiders says that apparently, it signifies that the establishment wants to fix the accountability thus the possibility of disciplinary proceedings post-termination can’t be ruled out.