Niraj Bajaj has built his career across two very different fields: competitive table tennis and Indian business. Before taking on senior corporate positions, he represented India in table tennis and became a three-time national champion.
Today, Niraj Bajaj is the Chairman of Bajaj Auto and the Chairman & Managing Director of Mukand Ltd. He also serves as Vice Chairman of Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd.
His career brings together sporting achievements, business education and decades of involvement with the Bajaj Group. It is a journey that stands apart from the usual family-business story.
Quick Overview
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Niraj Ramkrishna Bajaj |
| Age | 71 Years (2026) |
| Profession | Indian Businessman |
| Known For | Prominent member of the Bajaj Group |
| Current Roles | Chairman of Bajaj Auto; Chairman & Managing Director of Mukand Ltd.; Vice Chairman of Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd. |
| Sports Career | Represented India in table tennis from 1970 to 1977 |
| Achievements | National championships; Arjuna Award |
| Education | B.Com, Sydenham College; MBA, Harvard Business School |
From Indian Table Tennis to the Bajaj Group
Niraj Bajaj’s first major public achievements came through sport.
He represented India in table tennis from 1970 to 1977. He also served as captain during the final four years of his international career.
Bajaj won the All-India Table Tennis Championship three times and was ranked India’s No. 1 player four times. His sporting achievements earned him honours including the Arjuna Award, Shiv Chhatrapati Award and Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar.
His sporting background remains an important part of his public profile even after his move into business. He has continued to be associated with table tennis through initiatives connected with the sport.
Education and Early Business Career
Niraj Bajaj was born on 10 October 1954. He studied at Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai.
Niraj Bajaj later completed his B.Com from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics. He then pursued an MBA from Harvard Business School in the United States.
His early professional experience included short stints with Bajaj Auto and Bajaj Electricals. He later joined Mukand and took on different responsibilities within the company.
This experience gave him exposure to both the automobile business and the industrial operations associated with the wider Bajaj business interests.
Niraj Bajaj’s Role in Bajaj Auto
Niraj Bajaj became Chairman of Bajaj Auto on 1 May 2021.
His role focuses on board-level leadership and governance. Rajiv Bajaj serves as Managing Director and CEO of Bajaj Auto.
Bajaj Auto is one of India’s major automobile manufacturers. The company is known for motorcycles, three-wheelers and other mobility products sold across domestic and international markets.
Niraj Bajaj’s position places him at the board level of one of the key companies within the wider Bajaj business group.
Leading Mukand and Other Bajaj Businesses
Mukand is another important part of Niraj Bajaj’s corporate career.
He has served as Chairman and Managing Director of Mukand Ltd. The company operates in areas including steel and industrial manufacturing.
His responsibilities at Mukand have included strategic planning, finance, corporate affairs, expansion and diversification.
Bajaj has also held leadership positions across other companies connected with the Bajaj Group. He serves as Vice Chairman of Bajaj Holdings & Investment Ltd.
His corporate roles have therefore extended beyond automobiles into industrial and investment businesses.
Corporate Experience Beyond the Boardroom
Niraj Bajaj has also been involved with industry organisations.
He served as President of the Indian Merchants’ Chamber during 2007–08, according to his corporate profile. He has also been associated with several professional and business organisations during his career.
In 1993, the World Economic Forum selected him as one of its Global Leaders for Tomorrow.
These roles added an industry-level dimension to his work beyond his responsibilities within Bajaj Group companies.
Family and Philanthropic Connections
Niraj Bajaj is married to Minal Bajaj. She has worked with the Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation and has served as its Honorary Director since 2009.
The Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation organises the Jamnalal Bajaj Awards, which recognise contributions to social and rural development and work based on Gandhian values.
Minal Bajaj has also been involved in initiatives focused on women’s empowerment, education, sports and social development.
Niraj Bajaj’s Mumbai Property
Niraj Bajaj made headlines in 2023 after purchasing a luxury triplex in Mumbai’s Malabar Hill.
Macrotech Developers, the listed company associated with the Lodha Group, reportedly sold the sea-facing property to Niraj Bajaj for ₹252.5 crore.
The property covers around 18,008 square feet across the 29th, 30th and 31st floors. It also reportedly includes eight car parking spaces. The transaction was registered on 13 March 2023, with reported stamp duty of ₹15.15 crore.
The purchase received significant attention because of its reported value. However, the transaction itself should not be treated as evidence of Niraj Bajaj’s overall personal net worth.
Why Niraj Bajaj’s Career Stands Out
Niraj Bajaj’s professional journey brings together two distinct areas: sport and business.
Niraj Bajaj first gained recognition as a competitive table tennis player. He represented India, won major national championships and received national honours for his sporting achievements.
He later moved into corporate leadership after studying commerce and management. Over the years, his career has included senior roles at Bajaj Auto, Mukand and Bajaj Holdings & Investment.
His journey reflects a long association with the Bajaj business ecosystem. It also stands out for the sporting career that preceded his corporate leadership.
FAQs
Who is Niraj Bajaj?
Niraj Bajaj is an Indian businessman and a prominent member of the Bajaj Group. He is Chairman of Bajaj Auto and Chairman & Managing Director of Mukand Ltd.
What is Niraj Bajaj known for?
Niraj Bajaj is known for his senior leadership roles in the Bajaj Group and for representing India in table tennis during the 1970s.
When did Niraj Bajaj become Chairman of Bajaj Auto?
Niraj Bajaj became Chairman of Bajaj Auto on 1 May 2021.
Did Niraj Bajaj play table tennis for India?
Yes. He represented India in table tennis from 1970 to 1977 and served as captain during the later part of his international career.
What did Niraj Bajaj study?
He completed his B.Com from Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics and later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School.
What is Niraj Bajaj’s role at Mukand?
Niraj Bajaj serves as the Chairman and Managing Director of Mukand Ltd., where he has been involved in strategic and corporate leadership.
