New Delhi, September 05 (H.S.): Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, has intensified its search for a successor to Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, with the race reportedly narrowing to three prominent corporate leaders.

According to sources on Saturday, the names that have emerged as key contenders are T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel; Saurabh Agrawal, Executive Director and Group Chief Financial Officer of Tata Sons; and Ashish Chauhan, Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE).

Sources said Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata has conveyed the names of the shortlisted candidates to the top government leadership. A decision is expected to be taken after detailed deliberations on the contenders. The Tata Sons board and the trusts that control the holding company are expected to play a crucial role in the selection of the next chairman.

The succession process assumes significance as the Tata Group prepares for a major leadership transition. Recent reports have identified Narendran and Agrawal among the leading internal candidates, while Chauhan has also emerged as a potential external contender.

N. Chandrasekaran took charge as Chairman of Tata Sons in 2017. He is currently serving his second five-year term and announced last month that he would not seek reappointment when his tenure ends on February 20, 2027. Tata Trusts has subsequently initiated the process of identifying his successor.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar