The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) announces Leadership Transition; Prasanna Pahade Appointed New CEO
The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC), India’s apex skill development body for the automotive sector, today announced the appointment of Prasanna Pahade as its new Chief Executive Officer. A seasoned business transformation leader with over 25 years of experience across automotive, logistics, manufacturing and engineering, Pahade succeeds Arindam Lahiri, who has led the Council since 2019, steering its growth as a leading industry-led institution for automotive skilling and workforce development.
Pahade takes charge at a pivotal time for the automotive sector, as the industry accelerates its shift towards electric mobility, advanced manufacturing, automation and digital technologies, creating demand for a future-ready workforce.
An alumnus of the College of Engineering, Pune (1996) with a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a PGDM from IIM Calcutta, Pahade brings a powerful combination of consulting rigor and core execution expertise. His distinguished career spans prominent roles at Mahindra Logistics, Tata Strategic Management Group, Voltas Ltd and a successful entrepreneurial chapter as the co-founder of the startup ‘Making Champs’.
Welcoming the appointment, Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson, ASDC, said, “Prasanna Pahade brings a strong combination of strategic vision, business leadership and operational excellence. His diverse industry experience will help ASDC strengthen its role in preparing a future-ready workforce and deepen collaboration with industry, academia and government as India’s mobility ecosystem continues to evolve.”
Prabhu Nagaraj, Vice Chairperson, ASDC, said, “The automotive industry is witnessing unprecedented technological change, and skilling will remain central to sustaining its growth. We are confident that Prasanna’s leadership will accelerate innovation, expand industry partnerships and further strengthen ASDC‘s contribution to the Skill India Mission.”
Rama Shankar Pandey, Treasurer, ASDC, said, “Prasanna Pahade‘s extensive industry experience and leadership will further strengthen ASDC‘s efforts to build a skilled, future-ready automotive workforce. We look forward to expanding our impact through stronger industry collaboration and innovation in skilling.”
On assuming office, Prasanna Pahade, Chief Executive Officer, ASDC, said, “I am honoured to join ASDC at a time when India’s automotive industry is undergoing unprecedented transformation. My focus will be on strengthening industry-led skilling, fostering innovation, building stronger partnerships with industry and academia, and preparing a future-ready workforce that supports India’s ambition of becoming a global leader in mobility and automotive manufacturing.”
ASDC continues to play a pivotal role in developing occupational standards, driving industry-led skilling initiatives, supporting training and certification, and enhancing employability across the automotive value chain. Under Pahade‘s leadership, the Council is expected to further expand its contribution to the Skill India Mission by preparing talent for the next generation of mobility and advanced manufacturing.
About Mr. Prasanna Pahade :
Mr. Prasanna Pahade
Chief Executive Officer,
The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC)
Mr. Prasanna Pahade is a CEO and turnaround leader with 25+ years experience across strategy, operations, and P&L management in the Tata and Mahindra group.
Mr. Prasanna Pahade has proven ability to diagnose broken business models, restructure operations, and restore financial momentum — most recently at Rivigo by Mahindra Logistics, a pan-India B2B express logistics network.
Mr. Prasanna Pahade has deep experience across logistics, automotive supply chain, engineering projects, consumer durables and corporate strategy, with board-level exposure and M&A transaction credentials.
Mr. Prasanna Pahade‘s Key Achievements :
1. Turnaround credibility : Value creation at 2×2 Logistics, Rivigo.
2. Blend of Strategy and implementation : Have led strategy exercise for Voltas with BCG and then gone on to run a business with 3,000 vehicles placed per day.
3. Tata and Mahindra pedigree: More than 20 years of operating in high-governance, high-accountability environments with world-class peers.
4. Board literacy — three board directorships, experience in dealing with senior board members and the ability to communicate clearly at the governance level with operational credibility.
5. Sector depth : logistics, automotive supply chain, consumer durables and industrial businesses. Deep understanding of business dynamics, the cost structures, the customer relationships, and the talent landscape.
Mr. Prasanna Pahade can be contacted at :
About Automotive Skills Development Council ( ASDC )
Automotive Skills Development Council ( ASDC ) is the first sector skill council of India, promoted by the Automobile industry through Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA) and Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) and Government of India represented by Department of Heavy Industry and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) & Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
Automotive Skills Development Council ( ASDC ) Vision :
To continually develop and upgrade Automotive Skills for Higher value additions ( higher value addition through Skilling will facilitate capital creation, leading to more economic activity and consequent additional jobs.)
Making Skills aspirational and integrated with academic pathways.
Honoring and celebrating the Skilling achievements.
Automotive Skills Development Council ( ASDC ) Key Achievements for the
Financial Year 2024 -25 :
✦ Starting with 1 CSR Project in 2020-21, ASDC delivered 12 CSR projects during FY 2024-25
✦ Associated with Bajaj Auto flagship project BEST and delivered 401 student assessments in FY 2024-25
✦ Delivered Hero Saksham project for 4000 women candidates for dealership roles with 50% placement
✦ Affiliated 5 training centers of Mahindra & Mahindra – Farm Division
✦ 28 Industry-based centers affiliated during FY 2024-25
✦ Signed two international agreements – with Volvo (Sweden) for international mobility & Steinbeis University (Germany) for 1+1 model of Masters Programme
✦ 14 new Higher Education partners added for skill-based course implementation
✦ Launched Skill Olympiad (with CBSE) and EV Hackathon (with BYD)
✦ Initiated 3-year Diploma program delivery at 2 industry partners (Sellowrap & Subros)
✦ Completed 2 lakh+ apprenticeship contracts during FY 2024-25
Automotive Skills Development Council ( ASDC ) Social Media Links :
LinkedIn | FaceBook | X | Website | YouTube | Instagram
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