The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) organized a national workshop on succession planning for board-level positions in New Delhi, bringing together senior officials from public sector enterprises, government departments, and leadership bodies to discuss strategies for building future-ready leadership in India’s public sector.
By NSB.News
Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) held a National Workshop on Succession Planning for Board-Level Positions in New Delhi on March 10, 2026. The workshop was inaugurated by Mallika Srinivasan, Chairperson of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB), and K Moses Chalai, Secretary of the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE).
The event was attended by several senior leaders including K P Mahadevaswamy, Chairman of SCOPE and CMD of NBCC (India) Limited; Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Vice-Chairman of SCOPE and CMD of Goa Shipyard Limited; and Atul Sobti, Director General of SCOPE. Members of PESB, CMDs and directors from various public sector enterprises (PSEs), as well as senior officers from DPE, PESB and CBC also participated. More than 100 senior officials from PSEs across diverse sectors attended the workshop.
Addressing the gathering, Mallika Srinivasan emphasized that succession planning should be treated as a strategic priority rather than a routine administrative exercise. She stressed the importance of identifying high-potential talent early, providing them with diverse leadership exposure, and assigning them greater responsibilities at the right stages of their careers to develop future-ready leaders.
Speaking on the occasion, K Moses Chalai highlighted that public sector enterprises are increasingly facing global competition and rapid technological changes. He noted that building strong leadership pipelines, maintaining consistent recruitment processes, and encouraging greater participation of women in leadership roles are crucial for growth and competitiveness.
In his address, K P Mahadevaswamy discussed the multidimensional responsibilities of PSE boards and stressed the need to build a robust leadership pipeline that promotes effective decision-making and enhanced competencies. He also highlighted SCOPE’s initiatives aimed at nurturing leadership through strategic collaborations with leading national and international institutions.
Atul Sobti underlined the growing importance of succession planning in modern organizations, stating that today’s leaders should embody the “5 Cs” — Character, Competence, Commitment, Courage, and Compassion. He also mentioned SCOPE’s initiatives such as the DAKSH capacity-building program and the Advanced Global Leadership Program, which aim to develop future-ready leadership in public sector enterprises.
Concluding the session, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay thanked the dignitaries and participants, stating that as PSEs evolve into globally competitive organizations, leadership continuity and strong governance have become essential. He noted that the workshop represents a significant step toward institutionalizing a robust succession framework that ensures smooth leadership transitions.
SCOPE reiterated that it will continue organizing such initiatives to nurture visionary leaders and align talent development with the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-reliant India, capable of navigating the challenges of the modern global landscape.