APPELLATE TRIBUNAL FOR ELECTRICITY

Shri Ajay Talegaonkar assumed office as Technical Member (Electricity) in the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) on 25 September 2025. He brings with him nearly three and a half decades of multifaceted experience spanning technical, commercial, regulatory, and policy domains across the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC).

Born on 28 September 1966, Shri Talegaonkar holds a degree in Electrical Engineering from the Madhav Institute of Technology and Science, Gwalior, and a Master’s in System Engineering & Operations Research from IIT Roorkee. He also holds a postgraduate degree in Economics and a professional certificate in Financial Accounting and Analysis from IIM Bangalore.

As Technical Member (Electricity) at APTEL, he draws upon extensive experience on a wide range of issues. His technical and regulatory work spans grid code formulation, availability-based tariff, grid operations, open access, technical standards, and clean energy integration. On the commercial and market front, his contributions include tariff design, transmission pricing, standard bid documents, and market development initiatives such as power exchanges and tariff-based competitive bidding. At the policy level, he has been closely involved in the formulation and implementation of the National Electricity Policy, Tariff Policy, and strategies for scaling up nuclear generation capacity. Across these diverse areas, he has consistently focused on promoting economic efficiency, balancing stakeholder interests, and strengthening regulatory certainty.

Prior to his appointment at APTEL, he served as Member (Economic & Commercial), Central Electricity Authority, and Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India (from 13 July 2022 to 24 September 2025). In this capacity, he guided key policy initiatives, regulatory frameworks, and techno-economic assessments across the power sector value chain.

Shri Talegaonkar has also been an active resource person in capacity-building programs organized by USAID SARI/Energy, the Forum of Regulators, TERI, ASCI Hyderabad, and NPTI, sharing practical insights on regulation, power markets, and grid governance. He has authored and presented papers on topics such as tariff-based competitive bidding for transmission, development of power exchanges, transmission pricing, and dispatch considerations in power purchase agreements—contributing to both policy formulation and industry understanding with his first-hand regulatory experience.

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Born and brought up in Kashmir Valley of erstwhile State of Jammu & Kashmir (now UT of Jammu, Kashmir). Completed Degree in Law (LL.B) in the year 1989 and Post-Graduation in Law (LL.M) in year 2019. Soon after obtaining Degree in law from University of Kashmir, Srinagar in the year 1989, had to migrate to Delhi due to terrorism. Started practice as an Advocate in Delhi in the year 1990 and practiced in the District Courts as well as in the High Court on civil side.

Was inducted into Delhi Higher Judicial Services in the year 2008 and took oath as Additional District & Sessions Judge on 04.04.2008. Have presided over various Courts having diverse jurisdictions in Delhi including matrimonial/civil courts till October, 2010 in Tis Hazari Courts, General Sessions Court till January, 2013 in Dwarka Court.

Was one of the Five Judges selected by the High Court to preside over newly constituted Special Fast Track Courts to deal with rape cases w.e.f. 05.01.2013 in the wake of infamous Nirbhaya incident that had taken place in December, 2012 and continued as the Judge of Special Fast Track Court till March, 2016 before being shifted to Special Court dealing with Land Acquisition Cases in Dwarka District itself.

Served as Joint Registrar (Appellate) in Delhi High Court on deputation basis from March, 2017 to November, 2017, and as Special Judge, CBI (PC Act) till October 2021. Also presided over Special Court in Karkardooma Courts set up for dealing with cases related to infamous riots that had taken place in North East Delhi in the month of February, 2020, from October, 2021 till 12.05.2022. Demitted office of District Judge (Commercial Court) in North District, Rohini Courts, Delhi, on 20.11.2023, and assumed charge as Judicial Member, Appellate Tribunal for Electricity on 21.11.2023.

Smt. Seema Gupta, born on May 5, 1962, is a distinguished professional in the Power Sector. She joined Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL) as Technical Member (Electricity) on 09.10.2023.

She has done Bachelor of Engineering( Elect) from Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) and Post Graduate Diploma in Management from IMT.She has more than 3 decades of experience in Power Sector having served in two flagship organisation of Power Sector – NTPC Limited and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited and has made significant contributions to the industry.

In 1983, she embarked on her career at NTPC Limited and then moved to Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in 1991, wherein she worked under various capacities and handled multi-disciplinary functions such as system studies, Telecom, Corporate Planning, International Business, Commercial, Corporate Monitoring Group, Central Transmission Utility (CTU), as regional headand attained the position of Director (Operations) on March 1, 2018.

She has played a pivotal role and ensured development of an efficient & economical Inter-State power transmission system for smooth flow of electricity in the country.

Her exceptional leadership in the Power Sector earned her numerous awards and accolades. Notably, she received the Special Commendation Award for Outstanding Women Manager in Public Sector Enterprises (PSE), bythe Hon’ble President of India, in 2017 under Scope Excellence Award to Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs).