Given that Noel Tata, being one of the Trust nominee directors, voted against the proposal, it was rendered legally void and without any basis, Tata Trusts stated.
| Photo Credit: PTI

N. Chandrasekaran. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

N. Chandrasekaran announced he would step down as chairman of Tata Sons when his current term ends on February 20, 2027. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons, who announced his exit from the position at the end of his tenure in February next, will be known for giving new directions to the Tata Group and putting big bets on high technology-oriented businesses after taking over the reins in 2017.

Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran to step down in February 2027

The technocrat who helmed Tata Consultancy Services for eight years before getting selected to lead the group under challenging circumstances, steered the conglomerate through unchartered territories making massive investments in semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, consumer Internet platform, mobile technology and battery giga-factories, which are new for the salt-to-software group.

It was under him that the Tata group expanded its aviation presence through the acquisition of Air India with a bold attempt to build a global airline out of India. 

Of course, as the first non-Parsi to lead the Group, he had the complete backing of his mentor former Tata Sons Chairman & Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata till the latter’s death in October 2024.

N. Chandrasekaran to step down as chairman of Tata Sons  | 5 key questions answered 

After the sudden ouster of former Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry following a boardroom battle, Mr. Chandrasekaran, joined the board of Tata Sons in October 2016 and appointed chairman in January 2017 after a selection committee ratified his candidature.

“At that time, he was the most successful CEO of the Tata Group and was the natural choice,” said a Tata Group veteran who was a part of the selection committee. 

Long stint with TCS

Before becoming the Chairman of Tata Sons, he was the Chief Executive of TCS, a company where he started as a trainee in 1987 and served for 30 years, including eight years as CEO, until 2017.

Under his leadership, TCS became the country’s most valuable company, and he led it’s growth in overseas markets amid adverse conditions. 

If Mr. Ratan Tata consolidated the Group’s position in key businesses through significant international acquisitions and increased Tata Sons’ holding in Group companies apart from keeping a tight control over the conglomerate, Mr. Chandrasekaran would be known for ensuring synergy, simplicity and scale through his “One Tata” strategy. 

He was seen driving transformation of the Tata group towards a sustainable future.

Considered very close to Mr. Ratan Tata, he is believed to have come in the crossfire from the internal squabble in Tata Trusts that controls 66% of Tata Sons’ holding and takes key decisions on the running of the holding company.

Noel takes over

Noel Tata, the half-brother of Ratan Tata, became chairman of Tata Trusts in October 2024 soon after his brother’s passing away and since then, the regime change had it’s effects on the affairs at both Tata Trusts and Tata Sons. 

While many of Mr. Ratan Tata loyalists quit from both Tata Trusts and Tata Sons some more were likely to exit soon, according to Tata Group insiders. 

The departure of Mr. Chandrasekaran is due to lack of clarity on his extension is part of this. 

In his statement issued on Wednesday he had stated that though his third five-year term from February 2027 was cleared by Tata Trusts and the nomination & remuneration committee of Tata Sons approved of it, one board member [Noel Tata] did not support it, leading to uncertainties. 

Mr. Chandrasekaran was reportedly tasked to find a way for not listing Tata Sons as demanded by the Shapoorji Pallonji Group which has about 18% stake in Tata Sons and as per RBI norms.

He was also required by the board to reduce the losses at several companies which were bleeding the group, including Air India and Tata Digital. 

For almost 10 years he piloted the Group amidst several challenges, including the Air India plane crash, cyberattack at JLR and cash burn at Tata Nue to name a few, and had to go leaving an unfinished agenda through he was all set to continue for five more years. 

By announcing his exit six months ahead of the end of his tenure, he, someone who had worked with the group for nearly 40 years, demonstrated his loyalty to the group which can find his successor well in time to fill the position. 

Born in 1963, Mr Chandrasekaran is a Bachelor in Applied Sciences and holds Masters in Computer Applications.

A Padma Bhushan, he is also the recipient of France’ highest civilian award Légion d’Honneur, in 2023. In 2025, he was conferred Honorary Knight of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

He has been awarded several honorary doctorates by leading Universities in India and internationally, including an honorary Doctor of Letters from Macquarie University, Australia, Doctor Honoris Causa by Nyenrode University, The Netherlands, and Doctor of Letters from the Regional Engineering College, Trichy, Tamil Nadu. 

He is also the author of Bridgital Nation, a book on harnessing technological disruptions to bring Indians closer to their dreams.

He is an avid photographer, and a passionate long-distance marathon runner. He is a Six Star Finisher of the World Marathon Majors and continues to champion fitness.

He lives in Mumbai, with his wife Lalitha, and they have a son.

He also chairs the Boards of several group operating companies, including Tata Steel Limited, Tata Motors Limited, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited, The Tata Power Company Limited, Air India Limited, Tata Consumer Products Limited, The Indian Hotels Company Limited.

Published – August 12, 2026 09:17 pm IST

Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran. File
| Photo Credit: PTI

N. Chandrasekaran, Chairman, TATA Sons. File
| Photo Credit: Rajeev Bhatt

New Delhi:

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has been conferred Honorary Knighthood by the United Kingdom for his services to the UK-India business relations, the group said on Friday.

He has been conferred “The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Civil Division) – honorary DBE/KBE”.

In a post on X, the group said Mr Chandrasekaran received “an Honorary Knighthood by His Majesty, King Charles for services to UK-India business relations”.

Commenting on the recognition, Mr Chandrasekaran said, “I would like to express how proud we are at the Tata Group to maintain such a strong strategic relationship with the UK across the technology, consumer, hospitality, steel, chemicals, and automotive sectors.” He further said,”We are incredibly proud of our iconic British brands like Jaguar Land Rover and Tetley. We employ more than 70,000 people in the UK.” The Tata Group enjoy fruitful and world-class research and academic partnerships with great institutions in UK which include the University of Oxford, the London School of Economics, the University of Warwick and the University of Swansea, he added.

“I would also like to express, on behalf of the Tata Group, my deep thanks to HM Government for their support for the Group. It is a strong and enduring relationship, and I look forward to strengthening our presence in the UK further,” Mr Chandrasekaran noted.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Ratan Tata, one of India’s most loved industrialists, died today aged 86. He was reportedly admitted to a Mumbai hospital in critical condition. N Chandrasekaran, Chairman of Tata Sons, has confirmed the sad news. 

In a statement, Mr Chandrasekaran said, “It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation. “

Here is the full statement by Tata Sons: 

“It is with a profound sense of loss that we bid farewell to Mr. Ratan Naval Tata, a truly uncommon leader whose immeasurable contributions have shaped not only the Tata Group but also the very fabric of our nation.

For the Tata Group, Mr. Tata was more than a chairperson. To me, he was a mentor, guide and friend. He inspired by example. With an unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation, the Tata Group under his stewardship expanded its global footprint while always remaining true to its moral compass.

Mr. Tata’s dedication to philanthropy and the development of society has touched the lives of millions. From education to healthcare, his initiatives have left a deep-rooted mark that will benefit generations to come. Reinforcing all of this work was Mr. Tata’s genuine humility in every individual interaction.

On behalf of the entire Tata family, I extend our deepest condolences to his loved ones. His legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to uphold the principles he so passionately championed.

N Chandrasekaran
Chairman
Tata Sons”

N. Chandrasekaran, Tata Group Chairman. File
| Photo Credit: PAUL NIORONHA

Domestic passenger vehicle segment is expected to cross the 50 lakh-mark of annual sales over the next few years and Tata Motors is geared up to tap into this growth opportunity, according to Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran.

In a message to the company’s shareholders in Annual Report for 2023-24, he noted that the company will focus on revenue growth and strong free cash flows across its businesses going ahead. “India is well on track to exceed the 5 million vehicle sales mark in passenger vehicles over the next few years from the 4.1 million volumes clocked last year,” Mr. Chandrasekaran said.

India’s vehicle penetration, at about 30 vehicles per 1,000 population, is well below global norms and is expected to continue to increase, he noted.

“Tata Motors is well placed to further strengthen its market position and tap into this growth opportunity,” he stated.

Elaborating on the passenger vehicle segment, he stated that in the next phase, the business will focus on driving revenue growth, improving EBITDA, strong free cash flows, technology and brand leadership.

Apart from vehicular sales, the business will also focus on vehicle-linked businesses like spares, digital and smart mobility solutions which will help reduce the volatility of the vehicle sales business, he added. This should help drive consistent value accretive growth in the coming years, Mr. Chandrasekaran said.

The competitive intensity in this portfolio will remain high and the business will continue to invest in products, platforms, electrical & electronic architectures, and vehicle software to remain competitive, he stated.

The EV business will focus on driving up penetration through multiple product launches, focus on market development, charging network enhancements and continuing to introduce aspirational product features, he said.

The company’s PV business recorded its highest-ever turnover in FY24 with an annual revenue of ₹52,353 crore, growing by 9.4% over FY23.

Mr. Chandrasekaran said the commercial vehicle vertical will also focus on vehicle parc-linked businesses to reduce the volatility of the vehicle sales business.

On JLR, he stated that the brand will continue to double down on its journey to become a premium luxury OEM, deliver strong revenue growth, improve profitability further, drive positive free cash flows and continue to invest in products and technologies.

“There is an exciting range of products lined up to be launched over the next three years that needs to be delivered successfully. The first electric Range Rover launches later this year, and there are further EVs lined up in the coming years including the all-electric Jaguar,” he said.

Propsed demerger

Mr. Chandrasekaran said that the Tata Motors’ board proposed a demerger into two separate listed companies to enable each business to execute these strategies.

The commercial vehicle business and its related investments in one entity and the passenger vehicle businesses including PV, EV, JLR and its related investments in another entity, he informed shareholders.

“This will also help secure the considerable synergies across PV, EV and JLR, particularly in the areas of EVs, autonomous vehicles, and vehicle software,” he said.

This will lead each company to deliver a superior experience for customers, better growth prospects for employees and, enhanced value for shareholders, he added.