N Chandrasekaran's earnings revealed as he steps down as Tata Sons chairman

N Chandrasekaran has announced his decision to step down as chairman of Tata Sons when his current term concludes in February 2027, drawing attention to the earnings of one of India's highest-paid corporate leaders.

According to the Tata Sons FY26 annual report, Chandrasekaran's total remuneration for the financial year ending March 31, 2026, was ₹158.66 crore. This marks his highest earnings since Tata Sons began disclosing executive compensation in FY22. His FY26 compensation included ₹17.97 crore in salary and benefits, with the remaining ₹140.69 crore coming from a profit-linked commission, which constituted about 89% of his total pay.

Over the five-year period from FY22 to FY26, Chandrasekaran cumulatively earned ₹671.4 crore from Tata Sons, based on a Business Standard report analyzing the company's annual disclosures. This figure reflects his remuneration from Tata Sons specifically and does not represent his overall personal wealth, which would also depend on undisclosed assets, investments, properties, and liabilities.

Chandrasekaran joined Tata Consultancy Services in 1987 and rose to become its CEO and managing director in 2009. The Tata Sons board appointed him executive chairman in January 2017, citing his demonstrated leadership at TCS. He was later reappointed for a second term but has now opted not to seek a further extension. This decision reportedly followed disagreements involving Tata Trusts and a lack of unanimous board support for his reappointment. His departure will initiate the process for Tata Sons to select a new chairman after nearly a decade under his leadership. The group's succession process is being closely monitored, particularly given the significant governance role of Tata Trusts, which holds approximately 66% of Tata Sons.