Who is Dr Ashok Kumar? Why Coal India’s former CEO is back in college after retirement | Today’s news
Dr Ashok Kumar, former CEO of Coal India Limited, returned to college to pursue postgraduate studies in psychology after retiring from two professional roles. According to a Dainik Jagran report, Kumar enrolled in Ranchi University’s graduate psychology program, driven by a desire to learn after spending much of his career in engineering and management.
Kumar retired as General Manager (E&M) at Coal India Limited on 30 September 2018. He subsequently joined the Jaypee Group as Vice President and later served as an advisor before retiring from his second stint on 23 October 2025.
His decision to resume formal education after decades of professional experience reflects his continued interest in learning and exploring a new academic discipline.
Who is Dr Ashok Kumar?
According to news reports, Kumar has an extensive academic background in engineering and management. He received his BTech in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Jaipur, followed by MTech in Industrial Engineering and Management from ISM Dhanbad. He also holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering.
Kumar spent a significant part of his professional career with Coal India Limited, eventually rising to the position of General Manager (E&M). After his retirement in 2018, he continued to work in the corporate sector where he joined the Jaypee Group as a Vice President and then took on an advisory role.
He retired from Jaypee Group on 23 October 2025. Rather than ending his academic journey, his second retirement opened the door to new academic activity.
Why did Ashok Kumar return to college after retirement?
Kumar’s decision to enroll in psychology at Ranchi University stems from his curiosity about human behavior and the workings of the mind, according to Dainik Jagran.
After years spent studying and working with engineering systems and machines, he decided to explore a discipline that focuses on people, their thoughts and their behavior.
“Engineering taught me to understand machines; now I want to understand people through psychology. Learning never stops,” Kumar was quoted as saying by the news site.
His decision highlights a shift from a career focused on technical knowledge and management to the study of human psychology. It also shows how retirement can provide an opportunity to pursue interests that may have remained unexplored during a demanding professional career.
He regularly attends classes at Ranchi University
Despite his years of professional experience, Kumar regularly attends classes and actively participates in academic discussions. He often asks questions of faculty members, showing his enthusiasm for understanding the subject.