Adani Ports Appoints Niraj Bansal as CEO-Ports; Pranav Choudhary to Cease Role
Adani Ports & SEZ has announced a senior management change, with Pranav Choudhary ceasing as CEO-Ports on May 31, 2026, to pursue opportunities outside the group, and Niraj Bansal being appointed CEO-Ports from June 1, 2026. Bansal is a former IRS officer with over 27 years of government service who served as Chairman-in-charge of JNPT from 2014 to 2019, and joined the Adani Group in October 2022, holding CEO roles at Hazira Port and New Port Project Development, Maharashtra.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Adani Ports & SEZ has announced a dual change in its senior management, with Pranav Choudhary ceasing as CEO-Ports effective May 31, 2026, and Niraj Bansal being appointed as CEO-Ports effective June 1, 2026. The disclosure was made pursuant to Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
Leadership Transition
Pranav Choudhary's departure from the role of CEO-Ports is attributed to his decision to pursue career opportunities outside the Adani Group. Niraj Bansal steps into the position on a full-time employment basis. The key details of both changes are outlined below:
| Parameter: | Mr. Pranav Choudhary | Mr. Niraj Bansal |
|---|---|---|
| Change: | Ceased as CEO-Ports | Appointed as CEO-Ports |
| Reason: | To pursue career opportunities outside the Adani Group | New appointment |
| Effective Date: | May 31, 2026 | June 1, 2026 |
| Terms: | Not Applicable | Full-time employment |
Profile of Incoming CEO-Ports
Niraj Bansal brings an extensive background spanning both public service and the private sector. He is a former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer with over 27 years of service with the Government of India, having taken voluntary retirement as Commissioner of Income Tax. He subsequently served as Deputy Chairman and Chairman-in-charge of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) from 2014 to 2019, during which JNPT achieved record performance, including handling 66 million metric tonnes of cargo in FY 2017-18—the highest since the port's inception.
Bansal joined the Adani Group in October 2022 and has since held senior leadership roles within the organisation. His key positions within the group are summarised below:
| Role: | Details |
|---|---|
| Previous Role: | Chief Executive Officer – Hazira Port |
| Most Recent Role: | Chief Executive Officer – New Port Project Development, Maharashtra |
| Responsibilities: | Driving project development and operational preparedness |
Key Takeaways
- Pranav Choudhary ceases as CEO-Ports of Adani Ports & SEZ effective May 31, 2026, to pursue opportunities outside the Adani Group.
- Niraj Bansal is appointed CEO-Ports effective June 1, 2026, on a full-time employment basis.
- Bansal is a former IRS officer with over 27 years of government service and previously served as Chairman-in-charge of JNPT from 2014 to 2019.
- He joined the Adani Group in October 2022 and has served as CEO of Hazira Port and CEO of New Port Project Development, Maharashtra.
The changes were communicated to stock exchanges by Company Secretary Kamlesh Bhagia on May 11, 2026, in compliance with SEBI Listing Regulations.
Historical Stock Returns for Adani Ports & SEZ
| 1 Day | 5 Days | 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | 5 Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| +2.94% | +0.74% | +17.79% | +15.32% | +27.58% | +131.21% |
How might Niraj Bansal's regulatory background as a former IRS officer and JNPT chairman influence Adani Ports' strategy for navigating government approvals and port concession renewals?
Could Pranav Choudhary's departure signal a broader leadership restructuring at Adani Ports, and what impact might this have on investor confidence in the company's operational continuity?
Given Bansal's recent focus on new port project development in Maharashtra, will Adani Ports accelerate its greenfield port expansion plans under his leadership as CEO-Ports?


































