P.P. Varma and S.M. Kumar join Senior Management, while B.N.S. Prakash Rao takes charge of Alloy Steel Centre of Excellence
Mumbai : JSW Steel Limited has announced a significant senior management reshuffle, with several leadership changes taking effect from August 7, 2026.
The company has appointed P.P. Varma and S.M. Kumar to its Senior Management, while B.N.S. Prakash Rao has been assigned a new leadership responsibility as Head – Centre of Excellence for Alloy Steel.
Meanwhile, Ashish Chandra, President – Dolvi, Salav & Anjar Works, has ceased to be part of the company’s Senior Management and is set to leave JSW Steel at the end of August.
Key Management Changes at JSW Steel
The latest changes include:
- P.P. Varma – Appointed to Senior Management; Executive Vice President & Plant Head – Dolvi, Salav & Anjar
- S.M. Kumar – Appointed to Senior Management; Senior Vice President & Plant Head – Salem
- B.N.S. Prakash Rao – Appointed Head – Centre of Excellence for Alloy Steel
- Ashish Chandra – Ceased to be part of Senior Management and will leave the company on August 31, 2026
P.P. Varma Brings Nearly Four Decades of Steel Industry Experience
P.P. Varma has been inducted into JSW Steel’s Senior Management with effect from August 7, 2026.
Varma brings approximately 39 years of experience in steel plant operations. He joined JSW Steel in 2004 and has held several important operational and leadership positions during his career with the company.
Among his previous responsibilities, he served as Chief Operating Officer of the Dolvi Plant, giving him extensive experience in large-scale steel manufacturing operations.
In his new role, Varma will serve as Executive Vice President & Plant Head – Dolvi, Salav & Anjar.
He holds a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT BHU.
S.M. Kumar Joins Senior Management
S.M. Kumar has also been inducted into JSW Steel’s Senior Management with effect from August 7.
Kumar has around 35 years of professional experience and joined JSW Steel in 2006. Over the course of his career, he has worked across several critical functions, including customer services, market development, quality assurance, operations and maintenance.
He currently serves as Plant Head – Salem and will continue to lead the Salem operations in his new senior management role as Senior Vice President & Plant Head – Salem.
Kumar holds a B.Tech degree in Metallurgy from IIT Madras.
Ashish Chandra to Leave JSW Steel on August 31
In another major change, Ashish Chandra, President – Dolvi, Salav & Anjar Works, has ceased to be part of JSW Steel’s Senior Management.
According to the company’s regulatory disclosure, Chandra has resigned for personal reasons and to pursue career opportunities outside the JSW Group.
He submitted his resignation on July 1, 2026, and his last working day will be August 31, 2026.
His departure marks a leadership transition across some of JSW Steel’s important manufacturing operations.
B.N.S. Prakash Rao Moves to Alloy Steel Leadership Role
B.N.S. Prakash Rao, who was serving as Plant Head – Salem Works, has been assigned a new strategic responsibility.
Effective August 7, 2026, Rao has taken charge as Head – Centre of Excellence for Alloy Steel.
The company has clarified that this is a role transition within JSW Steel, rather than an exit from the organization.
The new assignment is expected to focus on strengthening capabilities and expertise in the alloy steel segment.
Leadership Changes Across Major Manufacturing Operations
The latest reshuffle comes at a time when JSW Steel continues to focus on strengthening operational capabilities, improving manufacturing efficiency and developing specialized steel products.
The appointment of experienced executives such as P.P. Varma and S.M. Kumar to the Senior Management is expected to reinforce leadership across key production locations, while B.N.S. Prakash Rao’s new role places greater emphasis on specialized alloy steel capabilities.
At the same time, Ashish Chandra’s planned departure will bring a transition in leadership at the Dolvi, Salav and Anjar operations.
Key Takeaways
- P.P. Varma joins JSW Steel’s Senior Management as Executive Vice President & Plant Head – Dolvi, Salav & Anjar.
- S.M. Kumar joins Senior Management as Senior Vice President & Plant Head – Salem.
- B.N.S. Prakash Rao becomes Head of the Centre of Excellence for Alloy Steel.
- Ashish Chandra has stepped out of Senior Management and will leave JSW Steel on August 31, 2026.
- The management changes are effective from August 7, 2026, except Chandra’s final exit date.
- The changes are aimed at strengthening leadership, plant operations and specialized steel capabilities.
Source: JSW Steel regulatory filing dated August 7, 2026.
