The search for a new leader of Tata Sons has officially begun after Tata Trusts took formal steps on Thursday to identify a successor to N Chandrasekaran.

Chandrasekaran has decided not to seek a third term as chairman, with his current tenure set to end in February 2027. His decision has set the stage for one of the most closely watched leadership transitions in corporate India.

Among the names being considered for the top position is TV Narendran, the 61-year-old chief executive of Tata Steel.

Narendran’s Kerala connection

Although Narendran was born in Tamil Nadu, his family has deep roots in Kerala. His ancestral home is in Chendamangalam in Ernakulam district.

Narendran is the grandson of E Ikkanda Warrier, a prominent freedom fighter who served as the first Prime Minister of the erstwhile Cochin State.

His family’s connection with Kerala’s social and political history was an important part of his formative years. He later pursued engineering and management before joining the Tata Group in 1988.

He has since spent more than three decades within the group, building extensive experience across its businesses and markets.

Why Narendran is in contention

Narendran is regarded as a strong candidate for the Tata Sons leadership because of his long association with the group and his professional relationship with Noel Tata, the current chairman of Tata Trusts.

As the head of Tata Steel, Narendran has led the company through significant debt pressures and challenging conditions in global markets. Under his leadership, Tata Steel became India’s second most valuable steel producer.

His experience also extends beyond India. He has overseen complex operations in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands while dealing with stringent mining regulations in India.

Five-member panel to make final choice

The final selection will be handled by a special five-member committee. The process comes amid rules that prevent Noel Tata from simultaneously serving as chairman of both Tata Trusts and Tata Sons.

Narendran’s long experience within the Tata Group and his status as an established insider make him one of the prominent names in consideration as the conglomerate prepares for the leadership transition.