India Removes SECI Chairman Rameshwar Prasad Gupta with immediate effect

The Government of India has removed Rameshwar Prasad Gupta, Chairman of the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), with immediate effect. The decision was announced in an official notice by the Ministry of Personnel on Saturday, just weeks before Gupta’s scheduled term was due to end next month.

Gupta, a former top official in the Environment Ministry, had taken charge as SECI Chairman in June 2023. The government has not provided any official reason for his sudden removal. He is a graduate in aerospace engineering from IIT Kanpur and has also worked with Niti Aayog and the Ministry of Coal.

During his nearly two-year tenure, Gupta oversaw several developments and controversies involving SECI. In one high-profile case, SECI had temporarily barred Reliance Power from participating in renewable energy tenders. The decision was later overturned in December 2024 following a court order.

SECI was also in the spotlight over a past solar power agreement involving billionaire Gautam Adani. The deal, which was signed before Gupta became chairman, attracted criticism after U.S. prosecutors indicted Adani and seven others in November 2024 for alleged involvement in a bribery and securities fraud case. Adani has denied the allegations, calling them baseless. SECI also denied any wrongdoing in connection with the deal.

Under Gupta’s leadership, SECI had also announced plans to go public through an initial public offering (IPO). However, he had clarified at the time that a final decision on the IPO size and timing was still pending.

The removal of Gupta comes at a time when SECI plays a central role in India’s efforts to scale up renewable energy infrastructure and meet its clean energy goals. A replacement for the post has yet to be named.