Why in the News?

Ratan Tata, Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away at 86. Born on December 28, 1937, he was an influential Indian industrialist and philanthropist. He led Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 to 2012, shaping one of India’s largest conglomerates with his visionary leadership and charitable contributions.

About the Personality

• He served as chairman of Tata Sons for over two decades from 1991 - 2012 and briefly returned as interim chairman in 2016.
• Strategic Acquisitions
  • Jaguar Land Rover (2008): From Ford Motor Company for approximately $2.3 billion.
  • Corus Steel (2007): Acquired for approximately $12 billion, expanding Tata Steel’s footprint in Europe.
  • Tata Coffee (2000): Acquisition of 100% stake in Tata Coffee, one of the largest coffee producers in India.
  • British Salt (2009): Acquired to strengthen Tata Chemicals’ portfolio in the salt business.
  • Trent Limited: Tata Group’s retail arm, which has expanded through acquisitions like Westside and Star Bazaar.
  • Tata Consultancy Services (TCS): While TCS was established as a division of Tata Sons, it has grown significantly through various mergers and acquisitions in the IT sector.
  • Tata Capital (2007): Established as a financial services arm, providing a range of financial solutions and services.
  • Air India (2021): Acquired by Tata Group from the Indian government, marking a significant return to the aviation sector.
• Launch of Tata Nano: Introduced the world’s most affordable car in 2008, aimed at providing mobility for lower-income families.
• Under his leadership, the Tata Group expanded significantly, operating in over 100 countries and achieving $165 billion in revenue for the year ending March 2024.
• Awards
  • Padma Bhushan (2000)
  • Maharashtra Bhushan (2006)
  • Padma Vibhushan (2008)
  • Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (2014)
  • Assam Baibhav (2021)
  • Order of Australia (2023)

Ratan Tata