Soma Mondal, born in 1963 (62 years old) in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is a well-known Indian business leader.
Soma is best known for helping SAIL reach record profits during her time as the head of the company.
Let’s read the biography of Soma Mondal to learn more about her life, education, family, career journey, education, and more.
Soma Mondal Wiki & Early Life
| Full Name | Soma Mondal |
| Profession | Businesswoman; Former Chairperson of Steel Authority of India (SAIL); Member, Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) |
| Age | 62 years old |
| Date of Birth | 1963 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Yet to be updated |
| Birthplace | Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Current Address | Yet to be updated |
Soma Mondal Husband & Children
Soma Mondal was married, but sadly, her husband passed away in 2005. Since then, she has not remarried.
She has often spoken about how her family supported her after her husband’s passing.
Her husband was an engineer and a graduate of IIM Ahmedabad, one of the top business schools in India. He worked at UTI (Unit Trust of India) during his career.
Children
Soma Mondal is a mother of three children. After losing her husband, she raised her kids with the help of her parents and her mother-in-law.
More details about the kids are yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Yet to be updated |
| Husband | Yet to be updated |
| Children | Yet to be updated |
Soma Mondal Family
Father
Soma Mondal’s father was an agricultural economist. He came from an academic background and had high hopes for his children.
He initially wanted Soma to become a doctor, but she chose engineering instead, a decision he later supported.
His influence and values played a big role in shaping Soma’s disciplined and focused approach to life.
Mother
Her mother was a highly educated woman with a Master’s degree (M.A.).
She always believed in the power of education and encouraged all her children to become independent and professionally strong.
Her mother’s support helped Soma build confidence and aim high in her career.
Brother
Soma had an elder brother who was a doctor. Sadly, he passed away in an accident.
His untimely death was a big loss to the family. Though not much is known about him, it’s clear that the family valued education deeply, as all the siblings were highly qualified.
Sister
She also has a sister, who is a practicing doctor in the United States. Like Soma, her sister pursued a professional career and settled abroad.
However, the names of her family members are yet to be updated.
| Parent’s Name | Father: Yet to be updated Mother: Yet to be updated |
| Siblings | Yet to be updated |
Soma Mondal Education
The details about Soma Mondal’s early schooling, including the name of the school she attended, are yet to be updated.
Higher Education
Soma Mondal studied Electrical Engineering at the National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, and graduated in 1984.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | National Institute of Technology (NIT), Rourkela |
| Highest Qualification | B.E. in Electrical Engineering |
Soma Mondal Career
Soma Mondal began her professional journey in 1984 as a Graduate Engineer Trainee at National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), one of India’s largest producers of aluminium.
Right from the start, she was placed in roles that tested her technical and leadership skills.
Over the years, she moved through various departments and handled important responsibilities in the commercial wing. Her performance earned her recognition within the company.
After working for over 30 years, she became the Director (Commercial) in 2014.
In this role, she handled marketing and sales operations at a national level, helping the company strengthen its position in both domestic and international markets.
At NALCO, Soma built a solid foundation in the metals industry and became known for her strategic thinking and business sense.
Joining SAIL – A Historic Step (2017)
In March 2017, Soma Mondal joined SAIL as the Director (Commercial).
With this, she became the first-ever woman functional director in the company’s history.
At SAIL, she was responsible for creating new marketing strategies, boosting sales performance, and building strong customer relationships.
Her approach was fresh, data-driven, and focused on branding, which helped modernize SAIL’s marketing operations.
She also introduced a customer-first policy and took steps to expand retail distribution across rural and urban India.
Making History – Chairperson of SAIL (2021 – 2023)
On January 1, 2021, Soma Mondal made history when she was appointed as the Chairperson of SAIL, becoming the first woman ever to lead the company in its nearly 50-year history.
This was not just a personal milestone but also a major moment for women in India’s public sector.
Under Soma’s leadership, SAIL made record profits. The company earned over ₹1 lakh crore in revenue for two years in a row, ₹1.04 lakh crore in FY22 and ₹1.05 lakh crore in FY23.
Production also hit all-time highs with 18.7 million tonnes of hot metal and 17.3 million tonnes of crude steel in FY22.
She launched new product brands like SAIL SeQR and NEX, and modernized the company’s image through strategic marketing.
She also introduced a two-tier retail network and expanded SAIL’s presence in rural areas through the “Gaon Ki Ore” initiative, which directly connected with village-level customers.
Her leadership helped cut down company debt, improve profit margins, and bring in operational reforms that had long-term benefits.
These achievements earned her national and international recognition, including being named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women in the World in both 2022 and 2023.
Continuing to Serve – Member, PESB (2023 – Present)
After retiring from SAIL on April 30, 2023, Soma Mondal continued to serve in public roles.
On May 1, 2023, she took over as a Member of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).
The PESB is responsible for selecting top-level executives for central public sector enterprises (CPSEs) across India.
In this role, she now helps shape the leadership of India’s largest public companies, continuing her impact in the public sector space.
| Year | Role | Organization |
| 1984 | Graduate Engineer Trainee | National Aluminium Company (NALCO) |
| 2014 | Director (Commercial) | NALCO |
| 2017 | Director (Commercial) | Steel Authority of India (SAIL) |
| 2021 | Chairperson | Steel Authority of India (SAIL) |
| 2023 | Member | Public Enterprises Selection Board |
Awards and Achievements
Below is a list of Soma Mondal’s major awards and recognitions received throughout her career:
| Year | Award Name | Reason |
| 2023 | CEO of the Year, ETPrime Women Leadership Awards | Recognized for outstanding leadership in the public sector and breaking barriers. |
| 2023 | Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women (Rank 70) | Ranks among the top 100 most powerful women globally for leadership impact. |
| 2022 | Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women (Rank 67) | Featured for her impactful role as SAIL Chairperson and leadership excellence. |
Controversies
Here is a summary of the controversy involving Soma Mondal during her leadership at SAIL:
| Year | Controversy | Detail |
| 2024 | Alleged Corruption Inquiry at SAIL | Named in a whistleblower complaint linked to commercial dealings; later received a court stay on the probe. |
Soma Mondal Net Worth, Salary
Soma Mondal’s estimated net worth is around 4.92 million. Her yearly income is yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | 4.92 million |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Soma Mondal Height, Weight & Physical Stats
Details such as Soma’s height, weight, and body measurements are yet to be updated. She has black eyes and salt & pepper hair.
| Height | In centimetres: Yet to be updated In meters: Yet to be updated In feet & inches: Yet to be updated |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Salt & Pepper |
| Eye Color | Black |
Soma Mondal LinkedIn
 @soma-mondal |
Interesting Facts About Soma Mondal
- Soma Mondal is the first woman ever to head SAIL in its long history.
- She was nicknamed the “Queen of Steel” for her success at SAIL.
- Soma featured twice in Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women list (2022 & 2023).
- Mondal played a key role in launching SAIL SeQR and NEX steel brands.
- She also focused on rural marketing through the “Gaon Ki Ore” campaign.
FAQs
Who is Soma Mondal?
Soma Mondal is an Indian business leader, best known as the first woman Chairperson of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
When and where was Soma Mondal born?
Soma Mondal was born in 1963 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, into a middle-class Bengali family.
Is Soma Mondal married?
Soma Mondal was married, but her husband, an engineer and IIM-Ahmedabad alumnus, passed away in 2005. She has three children.
What is Soma Mondal’s current role?
After retiring from SAIL in April 2023, she became a Member of the Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB).
Why is Soma Mondal called the “Queen of Steel”?
Soma Mondal earned the nickname for leading SAIL to record profits, high production levels, and brand innovations during her tenure.
