From village government school to Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran's inspiring journey

Long before he became Chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran was a student at a Tamil-medium government school in rural Tamil Nadu. His journey from a farming family to one of India's most respected business leaders shows how education, determination and hard work can shape extraordinary careers.Long before he became Chairman of Tata Sons, N Chandrasekaran was a student at a Tamil-medium government school in rural Tamil Nadu. (Photo: Linkedin/n-chandrasekaran)Long before he became the face of one of India's largest business groups, N Chandrasekaran was a boy walking more than 3 kilometres each day to a Tamil-medium government school in Mohanur village, Tamil Nadu.Born into a farming family in Namakkal district in 1963, his early life was far removed from corporate boardrooms. Yet it was in that modest classroom that the foundations of one of India's most remarkable business careers were laid.As Chandrasekaran steps down as Chairman of Tata Sons after completing his term, his story is once again drawing attention, especially because it began in a government school.THE EDUCATION THAT SHAPED HIMAfter finishing school, Chandrasekaran pursued a Bachelor's degree in Applied Sciences from the Coimbatore Institute of Technology. His interest in technology led him to complete a Master of Computer Applications (MCA) in 1986 from the then Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli, now known as the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Trichy.His academic choices came at a time when India's technology sector was still taking shape, placing him among a generation that would later transform the country's IT industry.WHERE HIS CAREER TOOK OFF In 1987, Chandrasekaran joined Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as a young employee. What followed was a career spanning nearly four decades within the Tata Group.He steadily rose through the ranks and eventually became Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of TCS. Under his leadership, the company expanded globally and emerged as India's most valuable IT services firm.In 2017, he was appointed Chairman of Tata Sons, becoming only the second non-Tata family member to hold the position. Over the years, he has also chaired several major Tata Group companies, including Tata Steel, Tata Motors, Tata Power, Air India and Indian Hotels.His journey from a Tamil-medium government school to the top of one of India's most respected business groups remains a powerful reminder that where you begin does not decide how far you can go.- EndsPublished On: Aug 12, 2026 18:17 IST