Did you know that petroleum plays a very important role in our daily life, from fueling vehicles to supporting industries? In India, this vital sector is managed by a key government position that ensures smooth supply and proper policies.
The leadership of the petroleum sector has changed over time, with different individuals taking responsibility in different periods. Each leader has contributed in their own way to strengthen the country’s energy system.
These leaders are responsible for handling oil, natural gas, and energy resources. Their decisions affect fuel prices, energy security, and even the country’s economic growth.
Over the years, many experienced politicians have held this important position. Their work reflects the changing needs and priorities of India’s growing economy.
Understanding the list of these leaders helps us learn how India’s energy sector has developed and adapted through different times.
List of Petroleum Minister of India from 1957 Till Today
Did you know India has had many Petroleum Ministers since 1957, each helping manage fuel supply, energy policies, and the country’s growing needs over time?
Here is the list of Petroleum Ministers of India:
| Name | Duration | Political Party | |
| Hardeep Singh Puri | 10 June 2024 | Present | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Hardeep Singh Puri | 7 July 2021 | 9 June 2024 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Dharmendra Pradhan | 31 May 2019 | 7 July 2021 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Dharmendra Pradhan | 27 May 2014 | 30 May 2019 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Veerappa Moily | 28 October 2012 | 26 May 2014 | Indian National Congress |
| S. Jaipal Reddy | 19 January 2011 | 28 October 2012 | Indian National Congress |
| Murli Deora | 28 May 2009 | 19 January 2011 | Indian National Congress |
| Manmohan Singh | 29 January 2006 | 22 May 2009 | Indian National Congress |
| Mani Shankar Aiyar | 23 May 2004 | 29 January 2006 | Indian National Congress |
| Ram Naik | 13 October 1999 | 22 May 2004 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Vazhappady K. Ramamurthy | 19 March 1998 | 13 October 1999 | Tamizhaga Rajiv Congress |
| Janeshwar Mishra | 9 June 1997 | 19 March 1998 | Samajwadi Party |
| Inder Kumar Gujral | 21 April 1997 | 9 June 1997 | Janata Dal |
| H. D. Deve Gowda | 1 June 1996 | 21 April 1997 | Janata Dal |
| Atal Bihari Vajpayee | 16 May 1996 | 1 June 1996 | Bharatiya Janata Party |
| Captain Satish Sharma | 18 January 1993 | 16 May 1996 | Indian National Congress |
| B. Shankaranand | 21 June 1991 | 18 January 1993 | Indian National Congress |
| Satya Prakash Malaviya | 21 November 1990 | 21 June 1991 | Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) |
| M. S. Gurupadaswamy | 6 December 1989 | 10 November 1990 | Janata Dal |
| Brahm Dutt | 22 October 1986 | 2 December 1989 | Indian National Congress |
| N. D. Tiwari | 24 June 1986 | 22 October 1986 | Indian National Congress |
| Chandrashekhar Singh | 20 January 1986 | 24 June 1986 | Indian National Congress |
| Nawal Kishore Sharma | 25 September 1985 | 20 January 1986 | Indian National Congress |
| Nawal Kishore Sharma | 31 December 1984 | 25 September 1985 | Indian National Congress |
| P. Shiv Shankar | 15 January 1982 | 2 September 1982 | Indian National Congress |
| Prakash Chandra Sethi | 19 October 1980 | 15 January 1982 | Indian National Congress |
| Veerendra Patil | 7 March 1980 | 19 October 1980 | Indian National Congress |
| Prakash Chandra Sethi | 16 January 1980 | 7 March 1980 | Indian National Congress |
| Shyam Nath Kacker | 26 December 1979 | 14 January 1980 | Janata Party (Secular) |
| Aravinda Bala Pajanor | 19 August 1979 | 26 December 1979 | AIADMK |
| T. A. Pai | 28 July 1979 | 19 August 1979 | Indian National Congress (U) |
| Morarji Desai | 16 July 1979 | 28 July 1979 | Janata Party |
| Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna | 29 March 1977 | 15 July 1977 | Janata Party |
| Keshav Dev Malviya | 24 December 1975 | 24 March 1977 | Indian National Congress |
| Keshav Dev Malviya | 10 October 1974 | 24 December 1975 | Indian National Congress |
| D. K. Barooah | 5 February 1973 | 10 October 1974 | Indian National Congress |
| H. R. Gokhale | 29 January 1972 | 5 February 1973 | Indian National Congress |
| Prakash Chandra Sethi | 2 May 1971 | 29 January 1972 | Indian National Congress |
| Dajisaheb Chavan | 18 March 1971 | 2 May 1971 | Indian National Congress |
| Triguna Sen | 14 February 1969 | 18 March 1971 | Indian National Congress |
| Kotha Raghuramaiah | 22 August 1968 | 14 February 1969 | Indian National Congress |
| Asoka Mehta | 13 March 1967 | 22 August 1968 | Indian National Congress |
| O. V. Alagesan | 24 January 1966 | 13 March 1967 | Indian National Congress |
| Humayun Kabir | 21 November 1963 | 24 January 1966 | Indian National Congress |
| O. V. Alagesan | 19 July 1963 | 21 November 1963 | Indian National Congress |
| Swaran Singh | 26 June 1963 | 19 July 1963 | Indian National Congress |
| Keshav Dev Malviya | 10 April 1962 | 26 June 1963 | Indian National Congress |
| Swaran Singh | 17 April 1957 | 10 April 1962 | Indian National Congress |
Roles and Responsibilities of the Ministry
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas handles many important tasks. It looks after oil exploration, production, refining, and distribution across India. It also ensures that fuel is available at stable prices for people and industries.
Another key responsibility is policy-making. The ministry creates rules and plans for energy use, imports, and exports. It also works with other countries to maintain good energy relations.
In addition, the ministry promotes cleaner and sustainable energy sources. It encourages the use of alternatives like natural gas, ethanol blending, and green hydrogen.
Major Companies Under the Ministry
Several large public sector companies work under this ministry. These companies are responsible for different parts of the petroleum industry.
Some of the major ones include:
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC)
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL)
- GAIL Limited (GAIL)
These organizations play a key role in maintaining India’s fuel supply.


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