Mehli Mistry Exits NCPA Board as Vijay Singh Steps In Amid Tata Trusts Shake‑up

In a major shift within the cultural and philanthropic arm of the Tata group, Mehli Mistry has resigned from the governing council of the NCPA. His resignation follows his exit from Tata Trusts, and he is now replaced on the council by Vijay Singh, a current trustee of Tata Trusts.

Mistry had served on the NCPA council as the nominee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, working alongside other representatives of the Trusts. His departure marks yet another institutional disengagement — coming soon after his removal from the core boards of Tata Trusts amid internal governance differences.

The change on the NCPA council reflects broader realignments within the Tata philanthropic ecosystem. The NCPA, established decades ago under the aegis of the Tata group, has long been one of India’s flagship cultural institutions. With Mistry’s exit, Singh—who already holds influence within the charity network—now takes over the NCPA’s representation from the Trusts.

Mistry’s ouster from the Trusts has been widely viewed as part of a consolidation move led by current leadership, as the group restructures its decision-making after the passing of its former patriarch. His decision to resign from the NCPA council comes after he had already stepped down from most other Tata‑linked charitable and institutional roles, including a prominent veterinary hospital trust. With this latest resignation, his long-standing institutional ties appear to have come to an end.

The replacement also signals continuity of control: by nominating an existing trustee like Vijay Singh, Tata Trusts ensures their representation on the NCPA remains strong and aligned with current leadership. The shift is being watched closely by stakeholders in India’s cultural and philanthropic sectors to see if it leads to any change in how the NCPA is governed or funded.

For now, the transition is framed as procedural, with no public statements issued by either Mistry or Tata Trusts regarding the move. But insiders suggest it underscores ongoing realignments within the group’s philanthropic institutions that may shape their roles in India’s business, cultural and charity landscape in the near future.