India’s Tata Sons reappoints N. Chandrasekaran as chairman

MUMBAI: India's Tata Sons board has decided to reappoint N. Chandrasekaran as executive chairman for another five-year term, despite his earlier announcement to not seek reappointment due to disagreements with Tata Trusts, a group of philanthropic institutions that owns 66% of Tata Sons. The Trusts, however, declared the reappointment decision illegal and potentially setting off another crisis in one of India's most notable family firms.

Tata Sons, the principal holding company of the Tata Group, reported revenue exceeding US$180 billion in 2024-2025, and employs over a million people. The board's decision, made amidst recent leadership turmoil and losses at some group companies, came after the nomination and remuneration committee requested Chandrasekaran reconsider his stance on reappointment.

The Trusts have accepted Chandrasekaran's original decision to step down in February 2027 and have called for a selection committee to choose his successor. Despite the Trusts' shareholding providing significant influence over the conglomerate's future, an IPO by Tata Sons, if it materializes, would likely decrease the Trusts' control.