Kotak Mahindra Bank Appoints Anup Kumar Saha as Whole-Time Director

In an important leadership development in India’s private banking sector, Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Anup Kumar Saha as its Whole Time Director, effective 12 January 2026. The appointment, announced by the bank on Monday, is subject to regulatory approvals and is aimed at strengthening Kotak’s senior management as it accelerates its customer-centric and digital transformation agenda. This move reflects the bank’s strategic focus on deepening leadership capacity amid rising competition and rapid technological change in the Indian banking ecosystem.

Role and Responsibilities of Anup Kumar Saha

As Whole-Time Director, Anup Kumar Saha will be responsible for overseeing consumer banking, marketing and data analytics functions at Kotak Mahindra Bank. These verticals are increasingly central to the growth strategies of private sector banks, especially in an era driven by digital innovation, personalized financial products and data-led decision-making.

The bank stated that Saha’s appointment will help reinforce its leadership depth while driving customer engagement, digital capabilities and analytics-driven strategies, all of which are critical for sustaining long-term growth.

Professional Background of Anup Kumar Saha

Before joining Kotak Mahindra Bank, Anup Kumar Saha was associated with Bajaj Finance, one of India’s leading non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). His experience in consumer finance, data-driven lending and large-scale customer operations is expected to add significant value to Kotak’s retail banking and analytics functions.

His appointment highlights a broader trend in Indian banking, where institutions are increasingly bringing in leaders with strong technology, analytics and consumer finance expertise.

Management Perspective

Commenting on his appointment, Anup Kumar Saha expressed confidence in Kotak Mahindra Bank’s growth trajectory and leadership culture. He stated that he looks forward to working closely with the leadership team to drive innovation, deepen customer relationships and create long-term value for all stakeholders.

Ashok Vaswani, Managing Director and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, said that the appointment underlines the bank’s commitment to building a market-leading financial services business. He emphasised the importance of maintaining a strong bench of experienced leaders to navigate the evolving financial services landscape.

Key Summary At Glance

Aspect	Summary
Event	Appointment of Anup Kumar Saha as Whole-Time Director at Kotak Mahindra Bank
Announced By	Kotak Mahindra Bank
Role & Responsibilities	Oversee consumer banking, marketing, and data analytics functions; drive digital transformation, customer engagement, and analytics-driven strategies
Professional Background	Formerly with Bajaj Finance; experienced in consumer finance, data-driven lending, and large-scale customer operations
Strategic Significance	Strengthens leadership depth, supports digital innovation, data-led decision-making, and long-term growth

Question

Q. Who has been appointed as Whole-Time Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank effective 12 January 2026?

A. Ashok Vaswani
B. Anup Kumar Saha
C. Uday Kotak
D. Aditya Puri