Dr. Alok Sharma

Dr. Alok Sharma is a distinguished chemical engineer, energy technologist, and innovation leader who has served as the Director (Research & Development) and Board Member of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IndianOil). Widely regarded as one of India’s foremost experts in refining technologies, alternative fuels, and clean energy innovation, he has played a pivotal role in steering IndianOil’s research agenda toward a sustainable and technology-driven energy future.

A postgraduate in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, Dr. Sharma has over three decades of experience in the downstream petroleum sector, spanning process engineering, refinery operations, production, project execution, and advanced energy technologies. His career began at IndianOil’s Gujarat Refinery, where he played a key role in establishing India’s first Hydrocracker Unit, a landmark achievement that significantly enhanced the country’s refining capabilities. He later contributed to the development of advanced hydroprocessing laboratories and residue processing technologies at IndianOil’s R&D Centre.

Prior to joining the IndianOil Board, Dr. Sharma served as Executive Director at the Centre for High Technology (CHT) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, where he coordinated national initiatives across refining, petrochemicals, and alternative energy for India’s oil and gas sector. His leadership was instrumental in fostering collaboration among public sector energy companies and accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies.

As Director (R&D), Dr. Sharma led IndianOil’s strategic transition toward future fuels and decarbonization technologies. Under his stewardship, the corporation significantly expanded its research in green hydrogen, fuel cells, biofuels, compressed biogas (CBG), hydrogen-enriched compressed natural gas (HCNG), carbon capture, gasification, renewable energy, and energy storage systems. He also spearheaded pioneering initiatives in co-processing non-edible oils, ethanol technologies, and carbon management, reinforcing IndianOil’s commitment to India’s energy transition and net-zero ambitions.

Beyond IndianOil, Dr. Sharma is an internationally recognized authority on hydrogen and sustainable fuels. He serves as President of the National Lubricating Grease Institute (India Chapter), Senior Vice President of the Hydrogen Association of India, and actively contributes to national and international forums on hydrogen, biofuels, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), catalysis, and refining technologies. He is also a recipient of the prestigious Endeavour Fellowship Award from the Government of Australia for his contributions to energy research and innovation.

Through his visionary leadership, scientific excellence, and commitment to indigenous innovation, Dr. Alok Sharma has made a lasting contribution to India’s energy ecosystem—advancing cutting-edge research, strengthening technological self-reliance, and helping position IndianOil at the forefront of the global transition toward cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions.