Who is Chanda Kochhar?
Chanda Kochhar is a renowned former Indian banker who served as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ICICI Bank, India’s largest private sector bank. She was widely regarded as a trailblazer for women in Indian corporate leadership, known for her sharp intellect and ability to modernize retail banking. However, her illustrious career came to a controversial end after serious allegations of corruption and conflict of interest surfaced, making her one of the most talked-about figures in India’s banking history.
| Field | Details |
| Full Name | Chanda Advani Kochhar |
| Date of Birth | 17 November 1961 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 63 Years |
| Birthplace | Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu (Sindhi community) |
| Profession | Former Banker, Former MD & CEO of ICICI Bank |
| Known For | Leadership at ICICI Bank, Corporate Governance Scandal |
| Education | B.Com (Jai Hind College), MMS (JBIMS, Mumbai) |
| Notable Awards | Padma Bhushan (2011), Forbes & Time recognition |
| Years Active | 1984–2018 |
| Controversy | Videocon Loan Scandal, CBI Arrest, PMLA Charges |
Chanda Kochhar Early Life
Chanda Kochhar was born on 17th November 1961 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, into a Hindu Sindhi family. After the early demise of her father, her family moved to Jaipur, where she completed her schooling. From a young age, Chanda showed academic brilliance and a determined personality, traits that would later help her rise through the competitive world of finance.
Chanda Kochhar Education
Chanda pursued her undergraduate studies in Commerce at Jai Hind College, Mumbai. She went on to complete a Master of Management Studies (MMS) from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS), Mumbai, where she was awarded a gold medal for excellence. Her academic achievements laid a solid foundation for her entry into the financial sector.
Chanda Kochhar Family
Chanda Kochhar is married to Deepak Kochhar, an Indian businessman and entrepreneur associated with the renewable energy sector. The couple has two children – a son, Arjun Kochhar, and a daughter, Aarti Kochhar. Her family came under public scrutiny during the Videocon loan controversy, as her husband’s business links were central to the allegations against her.
| Relation | Name/Details |
| Father | Passed away early in her life |
| Mother | Information not publicly disclosed |
| Spouse | Deepak Kochhar (Entrepreneur, under investigation) |
| Children | Son: Arjun Kochhar, Daughter: Aarti Kochhar |
| Marital Status | Married |
Chanda Kochhar Career
Rise to the Top
Chanda began her career in 1984 as a Management Trainee at ICICI Bank. Over the years, she worked in various capacities, including corporate banking, project finance, and retail banking. Her leadership played a pivotal role in transforming ICICI Bank into a modern financial institution with strong retail banking services.
In 2009, Chanda Kochhar broke the glass ceiling by becoming the first female CEO and MD of ICICI Bank. She spearheaded multiple strategic initiatives, expanding the bank’s global presence, focusing on technological advancement, and driving retail banking growth.
Recognitions and Awards
- Featured regularly in Forbes’ list of Most Powerful Women in Business globally.
- Received the Padma Bhushan award in 2011, India’s third-highest civilian honor.
- Named among Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the world (2015).
Her tenure was marked by modernization, digital transformation, and creating more customer-friendly services in banking.
Controversy and Legal Challenges
Chanda Kochhar’s illustrious career took a major hit in 2018 when allegations arose accusing her of favoritism in granting loans to the Videocon Group, which had business dealings with her husband. Following investigations by multiple agencies, she stepped down from ICICI Bank in October 2018.
In 2022, she was arrested by India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on charges of money laundering and corruption. In 2025, an appellate tribunal upheld the charges, concluding that Kochhar had abused her position to benefit her family through illegal loan disbursals, leading to asset seizures and significant legal setbacks.
Chanda Kochhar Social Media
Chanda Kochhar has maintained a low profile since her exit from the corporate world.
| Platform | Status / Information |
| No public or verified account | |
| Twitter (X) | No active or verified presence |
| No public profile available | |
| Historical mentions, no active updates | |
| Public Presence | Very limited due to ongoing legal cases |
Chanda Kochhar Net Worth
Before her resignation, Chanda Kochhar’s wealth included salaries, bonuses, and stock options from ICICI Bank, along with personal investments.
| Category | Information |
| Estimated Net Worth (Peak) | Approx. ₹24 Crore (~$3 Million USD) |
| Asset Attachments | ₹78 Crore (~$9 Million USD) attached by authorities |
| Major Income Sources | Salaries, Bonuses, Stock Options from ICICI Bank |
Chanda Kochhar Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Detail |
| Height | 5 feet 6 inches (approx.) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Build | Average, professional look |
| Notable Feature | Elegant Indian ethnic style in formal settings |
Interesting Facts about Chanda Kochhar
- She was one of the first women in India to lead a major financial institution.
- Chanda received over 20 awards during her banking career.
- Her leadership helped ICICI Bank survive the 2008 global financial crisis.
- She played a key role in expanding ICICI’s retail banking services in India.
- Known for her composed demeanor, Chanda was celebrated as a role model for aspiring women professionals.
- Her story became a case study at leading business schools before her fall from grace.
- The controversy surrounding her is considered one of India’s biggest banking scandals.
- Despite severe legal setbacks, she has remained silent in public media.
- Kochhar was a regular attendee at global financial forums like the World Economic Forum.
- Her professional journey reflects both incredible achievement and a cautionary tale of corporate governance failure.
FAQs About Chanda Kochhar
Q1. Who is Chanda Kochhar?
Chanda Kochhar is a former Indian banker who served as CEO and MD of ICICI Bank from 2009 to 2018.
Q2. Why is Chanda Kochhar famous?
She became famous for her remarkable rise in India’s banking sector and later infamous due to the Videocon loan controversy.
Q3. Why did Chanda Kochhar leave ICICI Bank?
She resigned in 2018 following allegations of conflict of interest in sanctioning loans to Videocon Group.
Q4. What legal cases involve Chanda Kochhar?
She faces money laundering and fraud charges, with a tribunal ruling against her in 2025.
Q5. What awards did Chanda Kochhar receive?
She was awarded the Padma Bhushan and featured in Forbes’ and Time magazine’s most powerful women lists.
Q6. What is Chanda Kochhar’s net worth?
Her net worth, previously estimated around ₹24 crore, is currently disputed due to ongoing asset seizures.
Q7. Is Chanda Kochhar active on social media?
No, she maintains a low profile with no official social media presence.
Q8. What is Chanda Kochhar’s family background?
She is married to businessman Deepak Kochhar and has two children.
Read more biographies and success stories of business leaders, celebrities, healthcare professionals, etc. at Leader Biography.
