From Namakkal to Bombay House: Journey of Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran

N Chandrasekaran, popularly known as Chandra, began his journey in 1963 in Namakkal district, Tamil Nadu, as part of a farming family. After completing his masters in computer applications from Regional Engineering College Tiruchirappalli (now NIT Tiruchirappalli), Chandra joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in 1987. His drive and energy were evident even during his early days, as a colleague recounted an incident where Chandra was so enthusiastic about pitching to clients the next day that he had to be stopped from continuing his work.

Chandra's career experienced rapid growth at TCS, where he held prominent positions before becoming the CEO in 2017. Prior to his tenure as CEO, TCS led the Indian tech industry in terms of revenue, but its net profit was lower than rival Infosys. However, Chandra's leadership transformed the company, turning TCS into a bellwether for the Indian tech industry by surpassing Infosys in terms of both revenue and profit.

In 2017, Chandra assumed the role of chairman of Tata Sons during a period of turbulence for the Tata Group following the removal of Cyrus Mistry. Chandra focused on building a sustainable business for the Tata Group by reducing debt levels at individual companies like Tata Steel and Tata Motors, while expanding business in steel and automotive sectors. His leadership was instrumental in bringing Tata's consumer business under one roof, enhancing its market standing.

Chandra's most significant achievement as chairman of the Tata Group was the company's foray into new areas of technology and businesses. Throughout his tenure, digital technology played a significant role, leading to the creation of Tata Digital. The group ventured into areas such as semiconductor, aerospace, electronics manufacturing, and battery manufacturing. Notably, the Tata Group collaborated with Apple to manufacture iPhones at plants in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The buyout of Air India presented a challenging assignment due to the airline's high debt levels and consumer dissatisfaction with its services. Chandra's leadership during this period demonstrated his ability to manage multiple companies within the Tata Group, implementing rigorous execution while maintaining a broad vision. His success in both aspects has been widely acknowledged.