Rajesh Nambiar Named NASSCOM President-Designate, Succeeds Ghosh

Crux: Rajesh Nambiar has been appointed as NASSCOM's president-designate, succeeding Debjani Ghosh. He steps down as Cognizant India's Chairman and Managing Director to lead NASSCOM during a crucial phase of AI-driven transformation in the tech industry.

Piyush Shukla Published On August 22nd, 2024

Rajesh Nambiar has been appointed as the president-designate of the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM), succeeding Debjani Ghosh, whose tenure concludes in November 2024. Following this appointment, Nambiar has resigned from his role as Chairman and Managing Director of Cognizant India. His extensive industry experience, including leadership roles at TCS, IBM, Ciena, and Cognizant, positions him as a key figure in guiding India’s tech sector through its next phase of growth.

Nambiar’s Vision

Nambiar expressed his excitement about leading NASSCOM during a time when the industry is focused on transitioning to AI-first companies, emphasizing the importance of talent, growth, and investment in intellectual property creation and R&D.

Debjani Ghosh’s Contribution

Ghosh highlighted the pivotal role of NASSCOM in shaping India’s global tech leadership and expressed confidence in Nambiar’s ability to elevate the organization further.

Search Committee and Industry Challenges

The appointment was the result of a search committee led by Keshav R. Murugesh, Group CEO of WNS, which sought an individual capable of accelerating India’s digital transformation. Nambiar’s leadership comes at a crucial time as the IT services industry faces challenges from a rapidly evolving tech landscape and slowing global tech service spending.