Tata Trusts has challenged the validity of N Chandrasekaran’s reappointment as chairman of Tata Sons, arguing that the resolution passed at the company’s September 17, 2026 board meeting did not secure the affirmative support required under Tata Sons’ Articles of Association (AoA). The Trusts said the resolution was “void ab initio” and had no legal effect because provisions in the AoA require the affirmative support of a majority of directors nominated by Tata Trusts, in addition to approval at the board level. Tata Trusts currently has two nominee directors on the Tata Sons board — Chairman Noel Tata and TVS Motor Chairman Emeritus Venu Srinivasan. According to the Trusts, Noel Tata voted against Chandrasekaran’s reappointment while Srinivasan supported it, resulting in a 1:1 split and, in its interpretation, failing to meet the required majority. Tata Trusts has also referred to the legal proceedings surrounding the 2016 removal of Cyrus Mistry as chairman of Tata Sons, arguing that Tata Sons had previously defended the affirmative voting rights of Trust-nominated directors under the same Articles. The Trusts said the Supreme Court’s subsequent decision, which set aside an NCLAT finding that the Articles were oppressive, is relevant to its current position. The dispute follows a Tata Sons board vote in which four directors reportedly supported Chandrasekaran’s reappointment for another five-year term, while one voted against it. The latest development marks a further escalation between Tata Trusts and Tata Sons over the proposed continuation of Chandrasekaran’s leadership and raises questions over the interpretation and application of the company’s governance provisions.
Tata Sons Chairman Reappointment Faces Challenge from Tata Trusts
