Tata Trusts have approved an extension of N. Chandrasekaran’s tenure as Chairman of Tata Sons, allowing him to continue into a third term despite crossing the group’s traditional retirement age of 65. The decision, taken during a recent board meeting, involved increasing the retirement age specifically for Chandrasekaran, a notable deviation from long-standing policy within the Tata Group.
The proposal was backed by Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata and trustee Venu Srinivasan but encountered resistance from trustees Mehli Mistry and Darius Khambata, who raised concerns about governance transparency and urged broader reforms within the Trusts.
Chandrasekaran, who assumed the role in 2017, has been credited with leading Tata Sons through a major transformation era. His tenure has seen the group strengthen its digital and aviation portfolios, from building the Tata Neu e-commerce platform to integrating Air India with Vistara and AirAsia India under a unified aviation strategy.
He has also overseen major structural changes, including the proposed demerger of Tata Motors into two independent entities, one focused on commercial vehicles and the other on passenger vehicles, encompassing electric models and Jaguar Land Rover. The restructuring aims to enhance strategic clarity and long-term value creation.
Insiders see the extension as a strategic move to ensure steady leadership as Tata Sons navigates critical business realignments. While it reignites internal debate about governance norms, the decision reflects Tata Trusts’ priority on continuity and stability at the helm of India’s largest conglomerate.
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