The concept of Vigilance as an investigative agency for punitive action, has today evolved to that of "Vigilance for Corporate Growth". The emphasis too has shifted from "punitive vigilance" to "preventive and proactive vigilance." Vigilance function in HPCL is an integral part of the management and supports ethical business decisions.

HPCL, with two operating refineries, about 2300 km of pipelines network, and a countrywide marketing and distribution network, has its main Vigilance Department at the Corporate Office in Mumbai

The Vigilance Department at the Corporate Office provides guidance, supervision and control to all the Vigilance functionaries of the Corporation. Its major work area comprises handling and investigation of complaints received from individuals, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, CVC, PMO, HPCL Management and other sources.

Preventive vigilance includes system studies, surprise inspections, joint surprise inspections, regular surveillance/scrutiny of procurement and contract files, scrutiny of property returns of employees, coordination with Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), Chief Technical Examiner (CTE), Vigilance Wing of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MOP&NG).

The CVO provides advice to the Chairman and acts as a link between the Corporation and outside agencies like MOP&NG, PMO, CBI, CVC, etc., on vigilance matters. The Vigilance executives function under the direct control and overall guidance of CVO. The unit Vigilance functionaries also provide assistance to the unit heads in respect of interpretation of CVC, CTE instructions, standing instructions of CVO, and other norms of statutory bodies like CBI, etc