Limits of the casting vote at Tata Sons

O n September 17, 2026, the board of Tata Sons voted on a third five-year term for N. Chandrasekaran as Executive Chairman. Mr. Chandrasekaran abstained from voting voluntarily and the recorded result was four to one. Within hours the Tata Trusts, owners of about 66% of Tata Sons, called the decision legally void . The claim rests on how several provisions of the Articles of Association, the company’s rulebook, fit together.

With a 66% share, the Trusts could have packed the board. Instead, under Article 104B, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust act jointly and nominate one-third of the directors. So now, on a board of six, two seats are held by Noel Tata and Venu Srinivasan.