Center Abruptly Terminates SECI Chairman RP Gupta’s Services

The decision, announced just over a month before Gupta’s tenure was set to conclude on June 14, 2025, has raised eyebrows due to its timing and the absence of an official explanation. In a surprising move, the Central government terminated the services of Rameshwar Prasad Gupta, a retired Gujarat-cadre IAS officer of the 1987 batch, from his position as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) with immediate effect. The decision, announced just over a month before Gupta’s tenure was set to conclude on June 14, 2025, has raised eyebrows due to its timing and the absence of an official explanation.

According to an order issued by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved Gupta’s termination, abruptly ending his leadership of SECI, a key public sector undertaking under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy responsible for advancing India’s renewable energy initiatives. No successor has been named, leaving the organization in a state of uncertainty as the government continues its search for a new CMD, sources confirmed.

Controversies

Gupta, who retired in 2021 as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, assumed the role of SECI CMD on June 15, 2023. A aerospace engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur, Gupta brought a wealth of experience to SECI, having previously served in significant roles at NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Coal. His tenure at SECI was marked by efforts to expand India’s renewable energy capacity, including plans for an initial public offering (IPO) for SECI, though no final decisions were made on its scale.

The sudden termination has sparked speculation, particularly in light of controversies that surfaced during Gupta’s tenure. Notably, SECI faced scrutiny over a 2019 solar deal involving the Adani Group, signed before Gupta’s appointment, which has been linked to allegations of bribery in a U.S. indictment. Gupta, however, firmly denied any wrongdoing by SECI, stating in November 2024 that the agency was not implicated in any irregularities. Additionally, under Gupta’s leadership, SECI temporarily barred Reliance Power from participating in renewable energy tenders due to alleged submission of fake documents, a decision later withdrawn following a Delhi High Court directive in December 2024.

Posts on X reflect mixed sentiments, with some users suggesting Gupta’s termination may be linked to his handling of high-stakes tenders involving major corporate players like Reliance Power. Neither Gupta nor the government has issued a public statement addressing the reasons behind the termination, further fueling conjecture.

SECI, a Navratna central public sector undertaking, plays a pivotal role in India’s renewable energy ambitions, serving as a Renewable Energy Implementing Agency (REIA) for solar, wind, and hybrid projects. In FY24, the corporation purchased solar power worth Rs12,414 crore, generating a profit of Rs 460 crore. The leadership vacuum caused by Gupta’s exit could pose challenges for ongoing projects, including a recent agreement with the Kerala State Electricity Board to procure 500 MW of solar power.

As the government searches for a new CMD, the renewable energy sector awaits clarity on the future direction of SECI and the reasons behind this unexpected leadership change. The lack of transparency in Gupta’s termination underscores the complexities of managing India’s ambitious clean energy transition amidst corporate and political dynamics.