For decades N. Chandrasekaran has remained to be one of the most influential names in India's corporate world. In the latest development, Chandrasekaran has stepped down as Chairman of Tata Sons ahead of the company's Annual General Meeting.
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Hailing from a small town Mohanur in Tamil Nadu, he went to government school unlike other business leaders who travelled abroad, his entire education happened entirely in India.
He completed his undergraduate studies at the Coimbatore Institute of Technology before earning a Master's degree in Computer Applications from Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli, now known as NIT Trichy.
In 1987, Chandrasekaran joined Tata Consultancy Services as a trainee.
Years of consistent performance earned him bigger responsibilities, and in 2009, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of TCS.
During his leadership, TCS witnessed rapid international expansion. The company strengthened its presence in North America, Europe and Asia while investing heavily in digital technologies, cloud computing and consulting services.
Chandrasekaran's joining Tata group in 2017 was marked historic as he became the first professional executive and the first non-Parsi to head the Tata Group since its formation over 150 years ago.
One of his biggest achievements was bringing Air India back to the Tata family after decades of government ownership. The acquisition was considered both symbolic and strategic, as the airline had originally been founded by J.R.D. Tata.
Under his leadership, Tata companies also worked more closely with each other through the "One Tata" approach, which aimed to improve collaboration across the group.
One of Chandrasekaran's biggest strengths has been his ability to remain calm during periods of uncertainty.
He is a regular marathon runner and believes fitness plays a key role in leadership. He has participated in several international marathons and often starts his day with a long run.
Friends and colleagues also describe him as someone who enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with family rather than seeking the spotlight.
According to Tata Sons' latest annual report, Chandrasekaran earned ₹158.66 crore in FY26, making him one of the highest-paid corporate executives in India. Most of this income came through performance-linked commission, highlighting the Tata Group's financial growth during his tenure.
