Shri Debendra Dalai is a distinguished Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of 1999 batch, belonging to the AGMUT cadre. He has assumed the charge of Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) at NHPC Limited, India’s premier hydropower utility, on 02.11.2026.
He holds a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree and has consistently demonstrated a commitment to transparency, policy implementation, and organizational integrity throughout his long tenure in public service.
Prior to joining NHPC as CVO, Shri Dalai served as the Additional Principal Chief Conservation of Forests (APCCF) in Arunachal Pradesh. During his tenure as the Nodal Officer, Forest (Conservation) Act (FCA), he played a pivotal role in evaluating and advancing crucial infrastructure and power sector proposals such as NHPC’s Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project, Dibang Multipurpose Project, Etalin Hydroelectric Project etc.
His extensive career also includes highly impactful tenures across various Union Territories and central departments. Notably, he served as the Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of Environment for the Chandigarh Administration, where he was instrumental in spearheading important Rooftop Solar Project and driving key environmental initiatives, establishment of Chandigarh Bird Park, and serving as the Vice Chairman of the Chandigarh Pollution Control Committee (CPCC). Additionally, he has successfully held crucial positions such as the Senior Deputy Director at the Survey of India and CF/CCF for Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
As the Chief Vigilance Officer at NHPC Limited, Shri Dalai will lead the vigilance division in steering corporate integrity, implementing preventive vigilance measures, and upholding the highest standards of transparency and governance across the corporation's sustainable energy portfolio.
As part of his professional development, Sh. Debendra Dalai travelled to New Zealand and Australia to participate in international capacity building programme on 'Innovations in Organizational Management', visiting institutions like Victoria University of Wellington and the Crawford School of Public Policy.  He also represented Chandigarh at the Conference of Parties (UNFCCC) at India Pavilion in Katowice (Poland), Madrid (Spain) and made an elaborate presentation at the international forum on various steps taken by Chandigarh Administration to fight the malice of climate change.