Chandrasekaran Resigns as Tata Sons Chairman?

N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, has decided not to seek reappointment after his current term ends on February 20, 2027. The 63 year old made the announcement amid reported differences between the Tata Sons board and Tata Trusts over his proposed third term. His reappointment had been pending for nearly six months after Tata Trusts proposed extending his tenure, while Noel Tata reportedly did not support the proposal unanimously.

Chandrasekaran, who became Tata Group chairman in January 2017, has spent nearly four decades with the group. He joined TCS as a trainee programmer in 1987 and later became its CEO and Managing Director before taking charge of Tata Sons. During his tenure, the market value of 26 listed Tata Group companies reportedly rose more than threefold, while group revenue and net profit also registered significant growth. He is also the first non-Parsi chairman of the 157 year old Tata Group.

His decision comes at a time when internal differences over issues including the performance of newer businesses, future investments and the proposed listing of Tata Sons have reportedly widened. Chandrasekaran has asked the board to appoint his successor soon to ensure a smooth leadership transition. He has received several major honours, including the Padma Bhushan in 2022, France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur in 2023 and the UK’s honorary KBE in 2024.