Sonata Software CEO change: key dates, term, 2026 SEBI

Sonata Software Limited has announced a leadership transition after a Board of Directors meeting on April 25, 2026. The company said its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Samir Dhir, will step down when his term ends on May 8, 2026. The board has appointed Rajsekhar Datta Roy as Chief Executive Officer from May 9, 2026, for a three-year term.

The disclosure was made under Regulation 30 of the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015, following recommendations from the Nomination and Remuneration Committee. The board meeting started at 5:53 pm and ended at 6:10 pm on April 25, 2026.

What the Board approved on April 25

Sonata Software said the board considered and approved changes in its executive leadership structure. The outgoing executive, Samir Dhir, will cease to hold the positions of Managing Director and CEO, and Executive Director, effective the close of business hours on May 8, 2026. The incoming executive, Rajsekhar Datta Roy, has been appointed as CEO effective May 9, 2026.

The company positioned the change as a formal transition aligned with regulatory disclosure requirements and supported with annexures, including the resignation letter and a profile of the new CEO.

Leadership changes at a glance

Samir Dhir’s resignation and stated reason

Sonata Software said Samir Dhir will vacate office as Managing Director and CEO upon the expiration of his term on May 8, 2026. In his resignation letter dated April 25, 2026, Dhir stated that considering his personal priorities, he decided not to offer himself for reappointment when his term ends.

He also resigned from the position of Executive Director effective from the close of business hours on May 8, 2026. The company noted that Dhir expressed gratitude to the board for the opportunities, trust, and support extended during his tenure.

Sonata Software also referenced Dhir’s tenure as spanning the last four years, during which he led the company through what it described as growth and transformation.

Rajsekhar Datta Roy appointed CEO from May 9

The board approved the appointment of Rajsekhar Datta Roy as CEO effective May 9, 2026, for a period of three years. Sonata Software said Roy brings over three decades of experience in scaling practices and leading delivery groups for global clients.

The company highlighted Roy’s role in expanding Sonata Software’s Dynamics and Microsoft practices into industry-focused offerings worldwide. It also listed his experience across strategy, delivery, and go-to-market initiatives, as well as product engineering, enterprise systems deployment, and digital transformation programs.

Roy’s recent work cited by Sonata Software

Sonata Software said Roy has been instrumental in guiding its evolution into an AI-first organization. The company also said he led efforts in advancing a Responsible AI approach.

A key product mentioned in the filing is Sonata Harmoni.AI, described as a responsible-first AI solution for business process automation and technology modernization. The company further said Roy played a key role in improving operational margins through focused execution and technology-led efficiencies.

These points were presented as part of the rationale for the appointment.

Current role before taking over as CEO

Before the appointment, Roy was serving as Chief Delivery Officer and was described as a key member of Sonata Software’s executive leadership team. In that role, he was responsible for global delivery operations.

The company said Roy also oversaw the shift toward an AI-first delivery model and led technology-led efficiency improvements. Sonata Software’s disclosure positions the CEO transition as continuity from his operational responsibilities into the top executive role.

SEBI compliance and stock exchange disclosures

Sonata Software said it has fulfilled disclosure requirements under Regulation 30 of SEBI LODR, including filing annexures such as the resignation letter and a comprehensive profile of the new CEO. The company said the information has been made available on its website at www.sonata-software.com.

It also said appropriate notifications have been sent to both NSE and BSE.

Stock move and return snapshot provided alongside the filing

The information pack included historical stock returns for Sonata Software and a price snapshot showing the stock at ₹256.98, down 2.81% on the day.

Why this transition matters for investors

A CEO change is a material governance update, particularly when it involves the Managing Director and CEO role and the executive director position. In Sonata Software’s case, the company has provided specific effective dates and a defined tenure for the incoming CEO, which reduces ambiguity around timing.

The company’s stated emphasis on an AI-first organization, Responsible AI, and the Harmoni.AI platform places execution and delivery leadership at the centre of its narrative. By appointing a leader who was already responsible for global delivery and efficiency initiatives, Sonata Software is signalling that operational execution remains a key focus.

At the same time, the disclosure clearly frames Dhir’s departure as linked to personal priorities and the expiration of his term, rather than an abrupt exit. That distinction matters in how markets interpret leadership changes, especially when disclosures are routed through SEBI’s event-based reporting framework.

Conclusion

Sonata Software has set a clear timeline for its CEO transition, with Samir Dhir stepping down on May 8, 2026, and Rajsekhar Datta Roy taking charge as CEO from May 9, 2026, for three years. The company said it has completed required SEBI LODR disclosures and has informed NSE and BSE. The next formal milestone will be the effective date of the leadership change in early May 2026.