N Baijendra Kumar has over 35 years of experience in administrative roles in state and central government as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of 1985 batch. Prior to becoming the chair and managing director of NMDC, Mr Kumar was the additional chief secretary to the chief minister, Chhattisgarh, as well as the Commerce & Industries and Energy Departments in the Chhattisgarh government. He has also held positions of collector and district magistrate, principal secretary, and headed the administration of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) New Delhi. Mr Kumar was the chair of Naya Raipur Development Authority (NRDA) and Chhattisgarh Housing Board (CGHB). His experience spans administration, public relations, information and broadcasting at the state and central government levels of Indian Government and he was instrumental in streamlining large-scale projects for the Chhattisgarh government.