Questions on losses prompt Tata Sons Chairman Chandrasekaran to seek deferment of extension decision

However, there were differences in the board meeting as Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata raised concerns over the losses in some of the group companies, the sources said.

A decision on the third extension for Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has been deferred after he requested the board of the Tata Group holding company to postpone the matter as disagreements cropped up in the board meeting on Tuesday.

While Chandrasekaran’s second tenure will end only in February 2027, Tata Sons directors had earlier agreed on the third extension. However, differences came to the fore in the board meeting as Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata raised concerns over the losses in some of the group’s companies, sources said.

Chandrasekaran then requested the board to postpone the decision on his extension. Noel Tata is on the board of Tata Sons as a representative of Tata Trusts — which holds 66 per cent stake in the holding company. Chairman Emeritus of the TVS Motor Company Venu Srinivasan is also on the board of Tata Sons, as a representative of the Trusts.

According to sources, Noel Tata was not happy with the losses in Tata Group’s digital businesses and investments in certain acquisitions. He also wanted Tata Sons to remain an unlisted firm. However, other directors supported the extension.

Chandrasekaran, 63, became the Chairman of Tata Sons in 2017 after the exit of Cyrus Mistry. He got his second extension in 2022. For a third extension, Tata Sons will have to waive the retirement norms. As per the current policy, directors in executive position should retire on attaining 65 years of age.

Chandrasekaran is also the chairman of major entities within the $180-billion group, including Air India, TCS, Indian Hotels (IHCL), Tata Power and Tata Steel.

Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in January 2022, continues to incur heavy losses. The group also acquired Iveco, an Italian automotive company, for around 3.8 billion pounds last year.

On January 17 this year, the board of Sir Ratan Tata Trusts (SRTT) did not induct Neville Tata, son of Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata, as a trustee. That meeting was postponed amid uncertainties over the timing of the appointment.

In November 2025, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) had unanimously approved the induction of Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat, former MD and CEO of Titan Company, as trustees for a three-year term beginning November 12. However, the SRTT board was then unable to induct Neville due to certain procedural issues raised by trustee Venu Srinivasan.

SDTT and SRTT are the two principal trusts within the Tata Trusts framework and together they play a decisive role in overseeing the Tata Group through their shareholding in Tata Sons.

A decision on the third extension for Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran has been deferred after he requested the board of the Tata Group holding company to postpone the matter as disagreements cropped up in the board meeting on Tuesday.

While Chandrasekaran’s second tenure will end only in February 2027, Tata Sons directors had earlier agreed on the third extension. However, differences came to the fore in the board meeting as Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata raised concerns over the losses in some of the group’s companies, sources said.

Chandrasekaran then requested the board to postpone the decision on his extension. Noel Tata is on the board of Tata Sons as a representative of Tata Trusts — which holds 66 per cent stake in the holding company. Chairman Emeritus of the TVS Motor Company Venu Srinivasan is also on the board of Tata Sons, as a representative of the Trusts.

According to sources, Noel Tata was not happy with the losses in Tata Group’s digital businesses and investments in certain acquisitions. He also wanted Tata Sons to remain an unlisted firm. However, other directors supported the extension.

Chandrasekaran, 63, became the Chairman of Tata Sons in 2017 after the exit of Cyrus Mistry. He got his second extension in 2022. For a third extension, Tata Sons will have to waive the retirement norms. As per the current policy, directors in executive position should retire on attaining 65 years of age.

Chandrasekaran is also the chairman of major entities within the $180-billion group, including Air India, TCS, Indian Hotels (IHCL), Tata Power and Tata Steel.

Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in January 2022, continues to incur heavy losses. The group also acquired Iveco, an Italian automotive company, for around 3.8 billion pounds last year.

On January 17 this year, the board of Sir Ratan Tata Trusts (SRTT) did not induct Neville Tata, son of Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata, as a trustee. That meeting was postponed amid uncertainties over the timing of the appointment.

In November 2025, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust (SDTT) had unanimously approved the induction of Neville Tata and Bhaskar Bhat, former MD and CEO of Titan Company, as trustees for a three-year term beginning November 12. However, the SRTT board was then unable to induct Neville due to certain procedural issues raised by trustee Venu Srinivasan.

SDTT and SRTT are the two principal trusts within the Tata Trusts framework and together they play a decisive role in overseeing the Tata Group through their shareholding in Tata Sons.