Nifty-100 Leadership Churn Hits Record 22% in 2025

A new report reveals that 22 CEO/MD exits occurred within Nifty-100 companies during 2025, a nearly 150% jump compared to the nine departures recorded in 2024.

This unprecedented turnover indicates a massive leadership churn as boards grow increasingly impatient with traditional growth models.

Nifty-100 Leadership Churn by Numbers

According to data compiled by primeinfobase.com and executive search firms, the churn rate at India’s largest firms (Nifty-100) hit 22% in 2025.

The trend extends across broader indices as well:

• Nifty-50: Recorded eight exits (16% churn), with most being retirements or term expiries.
• Nifty-200: Saw 31 departures, reflecting a 15.5% churn rate.
• Overall Market: Across 2,800 NSE-listed companies, total leadership exits rose to 149, up from 129 in the previous year.

Why the Corner Office is Shaking

Experts attribute this exodus to a “triple threat” of pressure:

1. Sharper Performance Scrutiny: Institutional investors are showing less tolerance for long gestation periods. Some CEOs in 2025 were replaced after just 4–5 quarters if strategic pivots failed to show immediate results.
2. Technological Disruption: The rapid integration of AI has forced boards to seek leaders with digital-first mindsets, leading to the “forced” exit of veterans who were unable to transition.
3. Governance and Activism: Enhanced scrutiny from proxy advisory firms and the analyst community has made “moral responsibility” resignations more common, as seen in sectors like financial services.

Sector-Wise Impact

The Consumer Discretionary sector topped the list for turnover with 33 departures across the broader market, followed closely by Financial Services with 26.

Notable high-profile shifts included the unexpected exit of the Birla Opus CEO and leadership shuffles at major retail and tech giants.

The report also highlights a growing “talent crunch” at the top.

While exits are high, demand from private equity firms for proven Indian CEOs has hit a multi-year high, providing departing leaders with lucrative “second innings” opportunities.

Note: We are also on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and YouTube to get the latest news updates. Subscribe to our Channels. WhatsApp– Click Here, YouTube – Click Here, and LinkedIn– Click Here.