Written on Monday, June 01, 2026* Natarajan Chandrasekaran is one of the most respected business leaders in India today. He is the chairman of Tata Sons, the main company that controls the Tata Group. The Tata Group is one of the biggest and oldest business groups in India. It owns many well-known companies like Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). His story is very inspiring because he came from a small village and a farming family, but he became the leader of India’s largest business group.
Early Life And Family Background
Natarajan Chandrasekaran was born on June 2, 1963, in Mohanur, a small village in Tamil Nadu, India. Mohanur is in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. He was born into a modest farmer family. His father was a lawyer by profession, but he also maintained a family farm. This means the family had both legal work and farming work to support themselves.
Chandrasekaran grew up in a simple home. He attended a Tamil-medium government school for his early education. Government schools in India are schools that are run by the state and are free or very cheap for students. This shows that his family did not have much money, but they still valued education.
Education Journey
After passing his school, Chandrasekaran went to the Coimbatore Institute of Technology. There, he studied Applied Sciences. This was his first step into the world of technology and engineering. Later, he wanted to learn more about computers. So he pursued a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) degree. He got this degree from the Regional Engineering College in Tiruchirappalli, which is now called NIT Trichy (National Institute of Technology).
His education in computer applications was very important. It prepared him for his future career in the technology industry. At that time, in the 1980s, computer knowledge was not common in India. Only a few people had this kind of education. Chandrasekaran was one of the smart students who learned this new field early.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Salary, Wife, Son
Career
After finishing his college, Chandrasekaran tried farming for about six months. He worked on his family farm. But he realized that farming was not the right job for him. He wanted to work in technology and computers. So he stopped farming and looked for a job in the IT industry.
At the age of 24, right after finishing college, Chandrasekaran joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as an intern. TCS is the IT company of the Tata Group. An intern is a person who works in a company to learn, usually without full pay. This was the beginning of his long journey with Tata.
Rising Through the Ranks
Chandrasekaran worked very hard at TCS. He did not stay as an intern for long. Over the next two decades, he rose through the ranks step by step. This means he took on more important jobs as he gained experience. In 2007, he became the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of TCS. The COO is a very high position. He was responsible for running the daily operations of the company.
Just two years later, in 2009, at the age of 46, he was appointed as the CEO of TCS. CEO means Chief Executive Officer. The CEO is the top leader of a company. He was now the head of one of India’s biggest IT companies. His leadership at TCS was very successful. The company grew a lot under his leadership. TCS became one of the most profitable IT companies in India and the world.
Becoming Chairman of Tata Sons
In 2017, a big change happened in Chandrasekaran’s life. Ratan Tata, the former chairman of Tata Group, retired. Ratan Tata was a very beloved leader in India. People respected him greatly. After Ratan Tata retired, Chandrasekaran was chosen as the new chairman of Tata Sons.
This was a huge responsibility. Tata Sons controls the entire Tata Group, which has many companies in different fields like steel, cars, power, hotels, and IT. Chandrasekaran was now the leader of this massive group. He became chairman in 2017 and continues in this role until today (2026).
Awards
Chandrasekaran’s work has been recognized by many organizations. He has received many awards for his business leadership. Here are some of his important awards:
- In 2014, he won the CNBC TV 18 “Indian Business Icon” award.
- In 2014, he won the CNN-IBN Indian of the Year award in the business category.
- In 2016, he won the Business Leader of the Year at the ET Awards for Corporate Excellence.
- He won Best CEO in 2013 and 2014 by Business Today.
- In 2022, he was given the Padma Bhushan. The Padma Bhushan is one of the highest civilian awards in India. It is given for important work in trade and industry.
- The French Government gave him the Légion d’Honneur. This is the highest civilian award in France. It was given for his business success and for strengthening the economic relationship between India and France.
- He also got the President Eisenhower Global Award for Leadership in 2022.
These awards show that Chandrasekaran is not just successful in India, but also recognized around the world.
His Book And Vision
Chandrasekaran is also an author. He wrote a book called “Bridgital Nation”. This book is about using technology to help Indians achieve their dreams. The word “Bridgital” comes from “bridge” and “digital.” It means using digital technology to bridge the gap between people and their opportunities.
In his book, he talks about how technology can help poor people, farmers, and workers in India. He believes that technology should not just make money for big companies. It should also help ordinary people improve their lives. This shows that he thinks about the country and its people, not just about business profits.
Personal Life
Chandrasekaran is also a marathon runner. He loves long-distance running. He has participated in many marathons. A marathon is a race of 42.195 kilometers. This is a very long distance. Only people with good health and strong discipline can run a marathon. This shows that Chandrasekaran is not only smart in work but also takes care of his health.
He lives in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Mumbai is where many big business companies in India are located. Interestingly, he lives next to Mukesh Ambani, the owner of Reliance Industries [6]. Mukesh Ambani is one of the richest people in India. This shows that Chandrasekaran is at the top level of Indian business.
His Leadership Style
Chandrasekaran is known for his simple and hardworking style. He did not come from a rich family. He came from a farmer’s family in a small village. But he worked hard and reached the top. This makes him special. Many people in India see him as a symbol of hope. They believe that if they work hard, they can also succeed, even if they start from a small place.
He is also known for being calm and thoughtful. He does not make quick decisions. He studies things carefully before making a choice. This has helped Tata Group grow steadily under his leadership.
Conclusion
Natarajan Chandrasekaran’s life story is truly amazing. He was born in a small village in Tamil Nadu. His family was a farming family with modest means. He studied in government schools and government colleges. He started his career as an intern at TCS. But through hard work, smart decisions, and strong leadership, he became the chairman of Tata Sons.
Today, he leads one of the largest and most respected business groups in the world. He has won many awards, including the Padma Bhushan. He wrote a book about using technology to help India. He runs marathons and takes care of his health. He lives in Mumbai next to one of India’s richest people.
His journey from a farmer’s son to the chairman of Tata Group shows that in India, anyone can succeed if they work hard and never give up. His story inspires many young people in India to dream big and work for their goals. Natarajan Chandrasekaran is not just a business leader. He is a symbol of what India can achieve.