Chandrasekaran’s Hat-Trick? 3 Reasons Tata Trusts May Have Broken Tradition
Tata Trusts reportedly approves a third executive term for Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, breaking tradition. Here’s why continuity, growth, and new ventures matter.
Chandrasekaran’s Hat-Trick? 3 Reasons Tata Trusts May Have Broken Tradition
Mumbai, Oct 13, 2025: Tata Trusts has reportedly approved a rare third executive term for Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran, marking the first time a group executive will continue past the retirement age. The decision, according to The Economic Times, was unanimous, with members including Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan emphasizing continuity amid the group’s ongoing business transformation.
1. Continuity for Key Projects
Tata Trusts cited critical initiatives like semiconductors, electric vehicle battery projects, and Air India operations as reasons to extend Chandrasekaran’s leadership. The move is seen as essential to ensure these long-term projects are executed smoothly, according to sources familiar with the matter.
2. Stellar Performance Under Chandrasekaran
Since his appointment in January 2017, Chandrasekaran has overseen a period of significant growth. Under his leadership, Tata Group’s revenue nearly doubled and net profit tripled over five years, with total spending of ₹5.5 lakh crore. In FY25, the group reported ₹15.34 lakh crore in revenue and ₹1.13 lakh crore in profit, while Tata Sons’ net worth surged to ₹1.49 lakh crore from ₹43,252 crore in 2018.
3. Expanding Footprint & New Ventures
Chandrasekaran spearheaded Tata Group’s entry into high-growth sectors, including semiconductor manufacturing and digital platforms like Tata Neu, BigBasket, 1mg, Croma, and Tata Cliq. The group also revived Air India, merging Vistara and AirAsia India, acquired Tejas Networks, and advanced indigenous telecom and battery projects in India and the UK.
Official Confirmation Pending
The Tata Sons board met on October 11 to discuss Chandrasekaran’s third term, which will extend beyond the typical retirement age of 65, when his current term ends in February 2027. While Tata Trusts, holding 66% in Tata Sons, is expected to formalize the decision next year, no official comment has been made yet.
Tata Sons Listing Adds Complexity
The proposed listing of Tata Sons remains a contentious issue. The Shapoorji Pallonji Group (18% stake) supports the listing to raise funds, while a faction led by Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan opposes it. RBI regulations may also impact the timeline, as Tata Capital is set to list, but Tata Sons’ plans remain unclear.
