Tata Trusts Board Meeting Delayed Amid Governance Scrutiny
Tata Trusts Meet Deferred; Charity Commissioner Wants Perpetual Trustees Capped At 25%
Ndtv
Image: Ndtv
The board meeting of Tata Trusts has been postponed as the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner investigates the trust's governance. The inquiry mandates that the number of perpetual trustees be capped at 25%, raising concerns about compliance with the Maharashtra Public Trust (Second Amendment) Act, 2025. This scrutiny follows broader governance issues within the Tata Trusts network.
- 01The Maharashtra Charity Commissioner has initiated an inquiry into the Sir Ratan Tata Trust's governance.
- 02The trust must limit its perpetual trustees to 25% of the total board strength as per the Maharashtra Public Trust Act.
- 03Three out of six trustees at the Sir Ratan Tata Trust are currently perpetual trustees, exceeding the legal limit.
- 04Mehli Mistry's dissent against reappointing two trustees at the Tata Education and Development Trust has raised further governance concerns.
- 05Srinivasan's position as vice-chairman of Tata Trusts may be scrutinized following his recent resignations from other trusts.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The board meeting of Tata Trusts has been postponed from May 8 to May 16 as the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner investigates the governance of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust (SRTT). The inquiry focuses on compliance with Section 30A(2) of the Maharashtra Public Trust (Second Amendment) Act, 2025, which mandates that the number of perpetual trustees must not exceed 25% of the total board strength. Currently, three of the six trustees—Noel Tata, Jimmy Tata, and Jehangir Jehangir—are perpetual trustees, raising legal concerns. This inquiry comes amid broader governance issues within the Tata Trusts network, including challenges to trustee appointments and board procedures. Recently, a writ petition challenging the trust's life trustee structure was withdrawn from the Bombay High Court, with the petitioner criticized for lack of fairness. Additionally, governance disputes have intensified, particularly after Mehli Mistry opposed the reappointment of two trustees at the Tata Education and Development Trust, where unanimous approval is required for decisions. The scrutiny over trustee eligibility and compliance with governing rules continues to unfold, particularly regarding Srinivasan's role following his resignation from other trusts.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The governance changes at Tata Trusts may affect the operations and decision-making processes of the trust, potentially impacting charitable initiatives funded by the trust.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support capping the number of perpetual trustees in charitable trusts?
Connecting to poll...
More about Sir Ratan Tata Trust
Tata Trusts Board Meeting Postponed Amid Legal Inquiry
The Economic Times • May 15, 2026

Petition Challenging Tata Trust Structure Withdrawn from Bombay High Court
The Indian Express • May 13, 2026
Bombay High Court Allows Withdrawal of Writ Petition Against Tata Trusts' Trustee Structure
The Economic Times • May 13, 2026
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.


