Mr. Patra, IAS (Retd.) holds a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Delhi University. Mr. Patra joined the Indian Administrative Service in the year 1979 and was assigned to the West Bengal Cadre and thereafter had a distinguished period spanning over 24 years in Government wherein Mr. Patra held several key portfolios including the post of Under Secretary with the Home Department, District Magistrate of Darjeeling and South 24 Parganas, Director of Industries, Managing Director of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation and Secretary, Information Technology.
In July, 2003 he took voluntary retirement to join MCPI, as Joint Managing Director. In 2009, he took charge as Managing Director of India Power Corporation Limited (IPCL). Mr. Patra continues to be a member of the IPCL Board.
In July, 2010, Mr. Patra returned to MCPI as its Executive Chairman and since November, 2016, he has been functioning as its only Whole-time Director, managing day to day affairs of MCPI.
Current role