AIDA appoints Bharati Balaji as new Deputy Director General
New Delhi, 01 April 2026: The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Bharati Balaji as its Deputy Director General.
Ms. Balaji brings over 25 years of diverse professional experience spanning the legal, corporate, and policy advocacy & compliance in industry association sectors. She began her career in legal practice at the Supreme Court of India, where she practiced for nearly five years before transitioning to the corporate sector.
Prior to joining AIDA, Ms. Balaji was associated with the Indian Sugar Mills Association (ISMA), where she joined in 2012 as Deputy Head. She played a pivotal role in the registration and operationalisation of ISMA’s bio-energy arm, the Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association, and subsequently rose to the position of Director. In this role, she led key portfolios including policy formulation, strategic initiatives, and legal and compliance matters. She also served as the acting head of ISMA for a period of three months during a leadership transition, demonstrating strong stewardship and leadership capabilities.
Earlier in her career, Ms. Balaji worked with The Times of India Group as Manager – Legal, handling a wide range of legal and contractual matters during her five-year tenure. She later joined Microsoft, where she was leading the Contract Sourcing & Negotiation team, gaining valuable international exposure and experience in corporate governance and team management.
Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Vijendra Singh, President of AIDA, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Ms. Bharati Balaji to AIDA’s leadership team. Her strong background in policy advocacy and regulatory affairs will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen the ethanol, sugar, and potable alcohol sectors, and further AIDA’s role in shaping the future of India’s distillery ecosystem.”
Mr. Kushal Mittal, Vice President of AIDA, added:
“Ms. Balaji’s appointment comes at a crucial juncture, as the government sharpens its focus on strengthening energy security and reducing import dependence through accelerated adoption of biofuels. AIDA remains committed to addressing the evolving landscape of the ethanol, sugar, and potable alcohol sectors, while deepening policy engagement and driving sustained industry growth.”
The All India Distillers’ Association (AIDA) is India’s apex body for ethanol, bioenergy, and potable alcohol (including 99.8% ethanol). It is the only association representing both grain-based and molasses-based ethanol manufacturers, as well as potable alcohol producers. AIDA works closely with stakeholders on advancing ethanol blending, promoting farmer welfare, enhancing energy security, driving sustainability, and supporting future fuel technologies.
AIDA warmly welcomes Ms. Bharati Balaji and looks forward to her leadership in taking the Association to greater heights.
