The board of Tata Sons on Tuesday deferred a decision on reappointing N. Chandrasekaran as chairman for five more years after objections from Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata, two executives aware of the matter said. The development signals continuing tensions at Tata Trusts that are casting a shadow over the Tata Sons board, given that two of the Trusts had earlier greenlit a third term for Chandrasekaran at the helm of India’s largest conglomerate.

Noel Tata, who arrived at Bombay House with son Neville Tata, pointed to losses at several Tata Group companies including Tata Digital and Air India, and sought clarity on the management of these businesses, one of the two executives said on the condition of anonymity. At a three-hour meeting, he also requested Chandrasekaran’s views on discussions with the Reserve Bank of India on keeping Tata Sons private.

Noel Tata’s concerns mark a rare instance of dissent since he became the Tata Trusts representative on the Tata Sons board in October 2024. The Tata Sons board comprises Chandrasekaran, Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, Group CFO Saurabh Agrawal, and independent directors Harish Manwani and Anita Marangoly George.

Emails and text messages sent to Tata Sons and Noel Tata seeking comment remained unanswered.