What’s next for N Chandrasekaran after Tata Group? 5 plausible second acts

N Chandrasekaran, the longtime CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Tata Sons, has announced that he will not seek another term as chairman of Tata Sons when his current tenure ends. With over four decades of experience at the Tata Group, speculation has emerged about what might come next for the industry veteran. Here are five plausible next steps for N Chandrasekaran:

1. Develop an institutional second act similar to Ramadorai or Nilekani. Following his time as S Ramadorai's executive assistant, Chandrasekaran could leverage his operating skills in various capacities - perhaps as a government mission, academic institution, technology board, or even his own organization focused on education, skilling, or advanced manufacturing. He may choose to work with organizations such as Karmayogi Bharat or the UIDAI, both of which require a deep understanding of operations and policy.

2. Engage in startup investing, reminiscent of Ratan Tata's approach. After stepping down as Tata Sons chairman, Tata's son Ratan has become a prominent individual backer of India's startup ecosystem, investing in companies like Ola, Paytm, Snapdeal, and others. N Chandrasekaran could adopt this approach, focusing on sectors such as AI, deeptech, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, enterprise software, or climate infrastructure.

His extensive experience in managing people and navigating technology cycles would make him a valuable asset to startup founders seeking guidance.

3. Head an India-scale AI mission. Chandrasekaran sees AI as the "infrastructure of intelligence" and believes it should be put into the hands of every citizen. With Tata's various divisions - TCS software and enterprise offerings, Tata Electronics semiconductor fabrication expertise, and the power and infrastructure arm - he has a unique perspective on the AI stack. He could potentially spearhead a national AI infrastructure initiative, tapping into his diverse skill set and broad network.

4. Join the government as a senior minister through lateral entry. Siddharth Pai, CEO and Managing Director of Sahasranshu Technologies, recently suggested that Chandrasekaran should be given a senior ministerial role through lateral entry. While it remains unclear whether he would be interested in such a role, Chandrasekaran's extensive experience in government relations, public policy, and operations could make him a valuable contributor to India's public sector.

5. Pursue a personal passion project. Finally, N Chandrasekaran may choose to pursue a personal passion or project that he has long been interested in but has not had the time to fully commit to. With his vast experience at Tata Group, he could turn his focus towards a specific area of interest, such as renewable energy, education technology, or social impact initiatives, creating a lasting legacy beyond his corporate career.