CII elects R. Mukundan as President for 2026-27
Synopsis
The Confederation of Indian Industry has a new leadership trio for 2026-27: Tata Chemicals MD R. Mukundan as President, Bharat Biotech co-founder Dr Suchitra K Ella as President-Designate — a notable milestone for women's representation — and RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group's Shashwat Goenka as Vice President. The lineup spans legacy industry, biotech, and next-gen business at a pivotal moment for India's economy.
Key Takeaways
Mukundan , MD & CEO of Tata Chemicals Ltd , elected CII President for 2026-27 , succeeding Rajiv Memani .
Dr Suchitra K Ella , Co-Founder of Bharat Biotech International Ltd , named CII President-Designate for 2026-27 .
Shashwat Goenka , Vice Chairman of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group , takes over as CII Vice President for 2026-27 .
Mukundan has over 30 years of experience at the Tata Group and joined the Tata Administrative Service in 1990 .
Dr Ella was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022 for her contributions to society and industry.
Goenka was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2024 .
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on Tuesday, 12 May 2025, elected its new office bearers for 2026-27 at a meeting of the newly constituted National Council in New Delhi. R. Mukundan, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Chemicals Ltd, assumes office as CII President for the year, succeeding Rajiv Memani at the helm.
R. Mukundan: The New CII President
Mukundan brings over 30 years of experience within the Tata Group, spanning the chemical, automotive, and hospitality sectors. He joined the Tata Administrative Service in 1990 after completing an MBA from the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), Delhi University. A distinguished alumnus of IIT Roorkee and Harvard Business School, he is also a Fellow of the Indian Chemical Society and holds an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration from XIM University, Bhubaneswar.
Within CII, Mukundan previously served as Chairman of CII Western Region in 2013-14 and chaired several national committees, including those on Environment and Industrial Relations in 2023. He was serving as CII President-Designate for 2025-26 prior to this elevation.
Dr Suchitra K Ella Named President-Designate
Dr Suchitra K Ella, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Ltd, takes over as CII President-Designate for 2026-27. Dr Ella co-founded Bharat Biotech in 1996 and has since nurtured several companies across veterinary sciences, agri-biotech parks, food processing, and pre-clinical toxicology research.
In 2022, she was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for her outstanding contributions to society and industry. She is also a recipient of the SAARC Women's Award and the Business Achievers Award from SIMA, Singapore. She previously served as Chairperson of CII Southern Region for 2022-23 and was the Founder Chairperson of CII's Indian Women's Network from 2013-15.
Shashwat Goenka Elected Vice President
Shashwat Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, assumes the role of CII Vice President for 2026-27. An alumnus of St Xavier's College, Kolkata and the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Goenka was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2024.
He has received several accolades, including Hurun India Next Gen Leader of the Year (2024), Fortune's 40 Under 40 (2023), and the One World One Family Global Leadership Award 2025. He recently served as Chairman of the CII Eastern Regional Council and also serves as the Honorary Consul of Finland in Kolkata.
What This Leadership Change Signals
The new CII leadership lineup represents a broad cross-section of Indian industry — from legacy conglomerates and cutting-edge biotech to next-generation business groups. Notably, Dr Ella's elevation as President-Designate marks a significant moment for women's representation at the apex of India's most influential industry body. The incoming leadership will steer CII's policy advocacy at a critical juncture, with India navigating global trade headwinds, a push for manufacturing competitiveness, and evolving sustainability mandates. All eyes will now be on the priorities the new team sets for the year ahead.
Point of View
But the real headline is Dr Suchitra K Ella's elevation as President-Designate — a rare instance of a woman scientist-entrepreneur in line to lead India's most powerful industry chamber. With global trade uncertainty and domestic manufacturing ambitions at a crossroads, the incoming leadership's ability to move beyond ceremonial advocacy toward concrete policy outcomes will define its legacy. Shashwat Goenka's inclusion also reflects CII's deliberate effort to signal generational transition — though whether next-gen representation translates into next-gen ideas remains to be seen.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the new CII President for 2026-27?
R. Mukundan, Managing Director and CEO of Tata Chemicals Ltd, is the new CII President for 2026-27. He succeeds Rajiv Memani and brings over 30 years of experience across the Tata Group.
Who is the CII President-Designate for 2026-27?
Dr Suchitra K Ella, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Ltd, has been named CII President-Designate for 2026-27. She co-founded Bharat Biotech in 1996 and was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2022.
Who is the new CII Vice President for 2026-27?
Shashwat Goenka, Vice Chairman of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, has been elected CII Vice President for 2026-27. He is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader (2024) and former Chairman of the CII Eastern Regional Council.
When were the new CII office bearers elected?
The new CII office bearers for 2026-27 were elected on Tuesday, 12 May 2025, at a meeting of the newly constituted CII National Council in New Delhi.
What is the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)?
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is India's premier industry association, representing businesses across sectors and engaging with government on policy, trade, and economic matters. Its annual leadership elections set the tone for industry advocacy for the year ahead.
